How Arthritis Can Cause Neck and Back Pain

  • Post category:Spine Health
William Capicotto, spine surgeons, WNY spine surgery, back pain, neck pain, arthritis pain, spine surgery, Buffalo spine surgeons

Do you have neck pain or back pain? You are not alone. Millions of people suffer from neck and back pain every day. Many times, it’s caused by arthritis, which can creep up on you without warning. But what type of arthritis causes neck and back pain? How does it affect your body? And what you can do to alleviate it?

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a type of joint disease that can cause pain in the neck and back. It can be triggered by many factors including person-specific risk factors, like genetics, and chronic diseases, like diabetes. Other external factors include age, weight gain or loss, stress, smoking, and more. Arthritis has no cure but it can be managed by preventive health behaviors and self-management.

What are the Different Types of Arthritis That Can Affect Your Neck and Back?

  • Osteoarthritis is typically caused by age or sports-related accidents. It can cause neck pain when the neck joint becomes inflamed. It will also cause back pain when the joint in between your spine and neck causes pressure on the neck vertebrae. It’s important to take steps to protect your joints, neck, and back from arthritis in order to avoid neck and back pains.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes neck and back pains. It’s a chronic inflammatory disorder in which the body’s own immune cells attack your joints. This type of arthritis can also affect other parts of the body like skin, eyes, or even internal organs, like the heart and lungs. You should seek medical treatment if you start experiencing rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Spinal disc degeneration is a neck condition that causes neck pain caused by the break down of spine discs between vertebrae bones. This can cause neck discomfort or even neck tension problems like migraines, arm numbness, and shoulder stiffness, as well as other symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, morning headaches, and insomnia.

How to Treat Arthritic Pain

It’s important to maintain a healthy weight and eat a balanced diet to reduce arthritis pain. You should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, as they can cause pain to worsen. If the pain is severe, you may need medication or surgery.

There are some dietary changes that can help alleviate neck pain. Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon or walnuts, can help to reduce inflammation. It is also important to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Dehydration can cause joint pain and worsen arthritis symptoms.

Breathing exercises are also a great way to clear your head and reduce stress levels in order to manage neck and back pain from arthritis. You should also take steps to protect your joints from arthritis by taking care of your neck and back.

There are many ways that you can manage neck and back arthritis pains on your own. Seek medical help if the pain is severe, but start by trying these tips:

  • Stretch regularly
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Exercise regularly
  • Take over the counter medication like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium for relief of inflammation
  • Use ice or heat packs to soothe the pain
  • Rest when needed

Chronic neck and back pain can be a debilitating condition, but it doesn’t have to control your life. There are many ways to manage the pain and live a healthy, active lifestyle. If you would like more information on how to treat your chronic pain condition, contact the office of William Capicotto MD, PC at (716) 881-0382 and schedule a consultation.