It’s not uncommon to wince from an ache in your neck every once in a while. Perhaps you just slept in an awkward position or you were staring down at your phone for too long. While these instances can cause temporary neck pain, having chronic neck pain might be a sign of arthritis.
Arthritis affects more than 58 million adults in the U.S. It’s technically an umbrella term that covers more than 100 conditions that can affect the joints. It can develop in nearly any joint throughout the body, but more than 80% of people over the age of 60 experience symptoms of arthritis in the neck, also known as cervical spondylosis.
By learning about the symptoms of arthritis of the neck and the physical therapy treatments that can help, you can determine when it’s time to seek help for your chronic neck pain, and what to expect from treatment.
Symptoms of arthritis in the neck to be aware of
Cervical spondylosis, often referred to as osteoarthritis in the neck, is a degenerative disease. It causes the spinal discs in the neck to gradually break down over time due to wear and tear. While natural aging is the most common cause, the disease can also stem from an inactive lifestyle, obesity or a neck injury.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of arthritis in the neck:
- Pain in the neck that can also radiate to the shoulders or arms
- Upper back pain
- A grinding sensation when you turn your head
- Weakness or numbness in the arms and hands
- Headaches that start near the neck or back of the head
- Balance or coordination issues
- Neck stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Muscle spasms
If you’re experiencing recurring symptoms, talk to a Forever Fit physical therapist about your concerns. They can determine if arthritis in the neck is the likely root cause by carrying out a physical evaluation.
Physical therapy treatments that can help patients with arthritis in the neck
Having a condition as common as arthritis in the neck doesn’t mean that you should just grin and bear the pain. With the right treatment, you can reduce the symptoms so that they don’t interfere with your ability to comfortably carry out your everyday routines or affect your quality of life.
One of the most effective courses of action for treating arthritis in the neck is physical therapy. A physical therapist can help you manage your symptoms as well as improve the strength and mobility of the affected area.
Here are potential options that a physical therapist may include in your treatment:
- Therapeutic exercises — With targeted exercises, your physical therapist can not only help to reduce your neck pain, but also increase or restore the strength and mobility of the affected muscles for better range of motion. They may show you strengthening exercises such as neck flexions or chin tucks. Common neck stretches for increased mobility include head tilts and shoulder rolls.
- Postural adjustments — Having poor posture, such as slumped shoulders or overextending your neck, may contribute to or even worsen arthritis symptoms. As it’s likely an unconscious habit, addressing your poor posture is all about getting your body used to a different way of sitting, standing and moving. Your physical therapist can help you make gradual adjustments to your posture. They can improve your alignment to reduce neck pain and stiffness.
- Dry needling — For arthritis that’s causing pain in both your neck and in your upper back, you may benefit from a technique called dry needling. It involves a physical therapist inserting thin needles into trigger points or muscle groups to stimulate muscle contractions and release tension that’s causing pain. For back pain that’s caused by arthritis in the neck, dry needling can reduce stiffness and encourage muscle relaxation. Dry needling is available at our Rockville, Maryland, location.
- Ergonomic recommendations — Learning how to fix your posture is an effective way to combat arthritis pain; there are also lifestyle adjustments that you can immediately implement. One of those adjustments is ergonomic solutions. Your physical therapist can make recommendations for ergonomic adjustments that you can add into your everyday life, especially your workspace. Changing your monitor height and purchasing a supportive chair are just a couple of helpful examples.
Forever Fit can help reduce symptoms of arthritis in the neck with effective treatment
While occasional neck pain might not be anything to be concerned about, symptoms of arthritis in the neck, such as a grinding sensation or muscle weakness, shouldn’t be brushed off. With the right physical therapy treatments, such as targeted exercises, you can reduce the effect of arthritis on your day-to-day life.
At Forever Fit, we want to help reduce your symptoms in all aspects, from reduced pain to increased muscle strength for improved coordination. We’ll design a personalized treatment plan based on the severity of your arthritis, medical history and overall physical therapy goals.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.