A Fresh Start Plan for People With Neck Pain!

"If you have to deal with chronic neck pain, it can be a real struggle. I know? because I've had to do it myself," states Dr. Nathan Wei, a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of The Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland.

How arthritis causes neck pain...
The neck is an interesting structure. It's made up of 7 bones stacked on top of each other. Each is separated from each other in the front by fibrous cushions called discs, and from each other in the back by special joints called facet joints. "The maximum movement of the neck occurs between the 4th and 6th cervical vertebrae...and this is where the most wear and tear in arthritis is seen," says Dr. Wei

Pain can come from anywhere!
Dr Wei adds, "? anything in the rear part of the brain can cause referred pain to the neck?.This includes aneurysms, infections, and tumors?.

Also, neck pain can be referred from the shoulder, the upper chest, or even the heart! ?Problems in the soft tissues of the neck such as growths or tumors affecting the thyroid gland, esophagus (food pipe) or trachea (wind pipe) can also lead to neck pain

Injury to the muscles and ligaments (example= whiplash auto accident) can cause neck pain. Dr. Wei declares, "This is the type of problem I have had for many years. I've been rear-ended a few times and I have degenerative arthritis in the neck at the C5-6 level. Patients I have talked with agree with me when I report popping or grinding in the neck with movement. Other patients say it "feels like sand back there" when they move their head?"

Pain from whiplash can radiate up the back of the head and cause headache. It may also radiate into the shoulders or between the shoulder blades.

Dr. Wei also adds, "Some types of neck pain are dangerous. When neck problems are associated with pressure on the spinal cord, this is called myelopathy and is a neurosurgical emergency!"

What are the most effective treatments?
Treatment obviously depends on making the correct diagnosis. According to Dr. Wei, the goals of treatment are to relieve pain, improve range of motion, prevent weakening of muscles, and restore function. Among the common treatments are non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory medicines or NSAIDS, topical agents such as Myorx, soft neck collars, neck support pillows, and exercises. Dr. Wei firmly reminds us, "? evidence of instability or cord compression is a ticket to see the neurosurgeon stat?"

Dr. Wei (pronounced "way") is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com

In The News:

---

Alzheimers Toxin May Be Key To Slowing Disease

Australian scientists say they have identified a toxin which plays... Read More

I Hurt All Over... How to Ease Away the Pain of Fibromyalgia!

At one moment, a life of activity consumed with enjoyable... Read More

A Look At Acid Reflux Treatment

Heartburn is a by-product of digestion, specifically affecting the esophagus... Read More

Ulcers Are No Laughing Matter

Peptic ulcers, which are in the stomach and the duodenum... Read More

Onychomycosis - One Of The Many Nail Fungus Out There

Many natural changes in fingers and toenails come with age.... Read More

The Lower Cost Prescription Drug Alternative

Today in the United States, there are hundreds of thousands... Read More

Ingrown Toe Nails Medical Treatment

Medical Care:Treatment options depend on the stage of ingrown toenails,... Read More

Rheumatoid Arthritis : the time bomb

The beginning is very much hard to spot as we... Read More

Treating Neuromas - Ten Tips

A neuroma is an inflamed nerve. In the foot, the... Read More

When Your John Doe Is Homeless

The patient, known only as John Doe, was difficult to... Read More

Where to Find Maryland Drug Rehab Centers?

Everything can be found on the Internet. At various sites... Read More

Vioxx Personal Injury Lawsuits

Personal injury attorneys representing clients who have allegedly been harmed... Read More

Patient Communication: Picking Up Where Medicine Leaves Off

We've all seen patients who were far beyond the reach... Read More

?Doc, my mouth is so dry all the time. What could be the problem??

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder ? a disorder in... Read More

The Basic First Aid for Child Care Programs

We cannot help but accept the fact that children do... Read More

Viagra Users - Overcome NAION Fear

NAION is the latest side effect linked to Viagra and... Read More

The P Value And Its Significance

When diversifying an investment portfolio, one needs to consider investing... Read More

Three Antioxidants (ginko biloba, grade seed extract, and selenium) for Alzheimers Treatment

Checklist of Treatments for Alzheimer's DiseasePart 3 of 83. Three... Read More

The Top Seven Myths About Arthritis

Myth #1: "Nothing can be done about arthritis..."You don't have... Read More

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Cybill Shepherd Reveals All

Cybill Shepherd has revealed that she suffers from irritable bowel... Read More

Chronic Head, Facial, Or Neck Pain That Won?t Go Away - Could It Be TMJ?

I stumbled across TMJ when I needed treat a literal... Read More

Treatment for High Blood Pressure

The treatment of high blood pressure is one of the... Read More

Medical Tests: What Does a Normal Range Mean?

We have a marvelous array of medical tests available to... Read More

Orthotics: Prefab or Custom-Made?

If you take a simple stroll down the foot product... Read More

Can Mexican Pharmacy Purchases Be Trusted?

Purchasing drugs from a Mexican pharmacy is, for the most... Read More

Medical Billing Specialist

As Pres. Bush was touring the Midwest, shortly before he... Read More

10 Steps To Detoxification

Technology. We live in a grand time of technological development.... Read More

?Do you suffer from Osteoarthritis? Here?s how to tell!?

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA). This... Read More

Signs of an Addiction

Addictions come in many forms. It's important to recognize the... Read More

Lunesta Withdrawal

Lunesta is a newly released sleeping pill. Marketed as a... Read More

Relafen: A New Drug with an Old Danger

Individuals who regularly take Relafen (nabumetone) or other anti-inflammatory medications,... Read More

Bextra, Vioxx and Side Effects ? Do You Need Aa Lawyer?

The recent withdrawals of the prescription medications Vioxx and Bextra... Read More

?Foot Pain Relief At Last!?

"As an arthritis specialist, one area that I see people... Read More