Arthritis of the Neck
Noel Peterson, N.D.
The diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the neck is very common. This condition affects nearly everyone over 40 years of age to some degree. Yet in spite of its frequency, there is almost complete silence when it comes to the treatment of this condition. People are told that their arthritis cannot be helped, and certainly not healed. They are prescribed ever-increasing doses and strengths of pain and anti-inflammatory medications. And just as they were told, the condition gets progressively worse.
When I see a case of chronic pain in the neck, the patient often brings with them X-rays, which clearly show degenerative osteoarthritis. The radiology report documents the degenerative changes to the vertebrae, the desiccation and shrinking of the inter-vertebral disk, calcified deposits in the soft tissues as the body desperately tries to immobilize the weakened joint, and “spurring” where the vertebrae form new bone along the areas of ligamentous laxity. They complain of pain, not only in the vertebrae, but also in the supporting cast of muscles striving to splint the unstable structure. Their necks are stiff and refuse to move in their fully intended range. They often have received temporary benefit from Chiropractic manipulation, but even this loses its effectiveness over time. Many patients have developed referred pain or numbness into their shoulders, arms and hands, and some have had surgery to remove the spurs or bone in attempts to open the foramen where the nerves course. Others had laminectomies to remove the weakened and bulging disks. Most continue to be in chronic pain.
When I look at these X-rays and examine the patient, I consider the mechanism of their pain. What I see is a neck that no longer is supported by its essential web of ligaments and connective tissue. As the ligaments weaken, calcification invades the tissues, and the joint looses range of motion. Next, muscles start to spasm in an attempt to stabilize the joint. As movement is restricted, blood supply wanes, and hypoxic tissue responses lead to further desiccation and brittleness. As the connective tissue weakens, it becomes over stretched, inflamed and lax. The body attempts to solve this problem with calcified deposits, and spurs are formed.
When I think of the mechanism of the disease, I also think of the treatments that can stop or in some cases reverse this process. Prolotherapy can and does strengthen these lax ligaments, restoring and stimulating capillary blood flow to the connective tissues. The neck is allowed to move more freely without pain. Neck stiffness, arm pain and weakness begin to clear up. Trigger point therapy relaxes the muscle bundles in the neck and takes much of the pressure off the nerves as they course through the neck and shoulders often relieving the pain and numbness in the muscles of the arms and hands. Nutritional support provides the raw materials for healing, and since both Prolotherapy and trigger point injections enhance circulation, these nutrients can be delivered to the cells in need.
Arthritis of the neck really is treatable. These regenerative treatments can and do provide relief to most of the people willing to give them a try.