Neck pain

[rmbuehler68]

I've been battling with neck pain over the past year and haven't made much progress. Pain is on the right side of my neck and fairly sharp when i turn my head to one side. I've tried physical therapy, making my desk ergonomically correct and changing out my bed pillow...but haven't seen any consistent progress. My doctor took x-rays and noticed arthritis in my neck.

I see a number of devices that make bold claims about helping neck pain. Welcome suggestions from others who have been in similar battle.

 

[stepford]

Neck pain can be maddeningly hard to diagnose, let alone treat. Find a doctor with experience treating C-spine issues. They'll probably order an MRI and if you're 'lucky' they'll find some obvious, treatable pathology. The problem is that by retirement age most folks have some degree of spinal pathology that may or may not be the cause of your pain.

So you're left with trying things - which may include: PT, anti-inflammatories, electrical stimulation, acupuncture, steroid injections and, lastly, surgery. In my case 1, 2 and 5 helped, 3 and 4 were ineffective and I've managed to avoid 6 so far. But everyone is different and what worked for me may have little relation to what works for you. Sorry I couldn't give you a more definitive answer. Good luck.

 

[Rianne]

I have exactly what OP explained. I had a neck MRI last year and Orthopedic doc said arthritis. I have a pinched nerve on my left side but no symptoms or pain over there. It feels like a muscle pull that never healed. I have a 100+ lb Labrador and I think over the years, he’s going on 12, I pulled that muscle to no return. Movement helps but it always returns. I have a gel neck brace I got on Amazon. Heat in the microwave and wear it. Everything I do is temporary, the pain always comes back.

 

[MRG]

Devices are scary to me. After years of pain, chiropractors, pt...., and issues I had an MRI, it says I need surgery. My surgeon says, not now, because I walk heel to toe without problem.

I don't do anything outside of what a spine specialist says today.

ETA: I noticed PT wasn't successful for you. Have you been to different therapists? Two years ago I had some lumbar problems and went to PT. I was getting better when the diminutive therapist left and another twice her size took over. I thought he killed me after two sessions. Ten times worse pain. My PCP ordered a MRI and he was able to change the therapy

 

[mystang52]

P.T. helped me get over the acute very painful neck I had. Since PT was ineffective for you, FWIW here are some of the additional things I do or have:
Neck roll pillow. I generally sleep on my back, but this is effective for when I sleep on my side.
As part of my weight resistance regimen, I do lat pulls. I also use stretch bands for "rowing". These keep my shoulders limber, which (in my case) help my neck issue.
Google "Saunders Cervical Traction Device." It's expensive, but it's a Godsend for my occasional flare-ups.

 

[pacergal]

I've had neck arthritis for years, hasn't bothered me too much and when it flares, massage, PT, and Ice/Heat, along with applications of menthol type creams and THC/CBD cream help. I have been taking naproxen daily for years for pain and anti-inflammatory. I hear crunching and popping when my neck moves in certain positions, getting worse lately.
Something happened this summer and I am having a flare of arthritis in my left neck, right hip and knee. Have had a round of prednisone, meloxicam (mobic) prescribed for when it's really bad, doing PT for both knee and neck. Doc gave me an occipital nerve block, which helped with the headaches associated with neck pain. I bought a cervical ortho pillow after researching articles and this one was #1 in a couple of them. I've been sleeping on it for about 2 weeks. Works the best I've ever had for pillows and I've tried a lot.
(MAAS & BATH Ergo Z Pillow)

I have recently started having tingling in my shoulder with the neck pain so Doc just did updated X-rays, no results yet, and referred to Ortho. Got knee injection this week, and hip injection scheduled. Once X-rays are read, I will probably be referred to the spine/pain clinic as I expect the arthritis is now worse and something going on with compression of the nerves.
Sounds weird, but the knee injection removed about 80% of hip/leg issues and I noticed less neck pain!

Best of luck with your arthritis care. Sometimes it is a combination of trying lots of different modalities. And be persistent with your Doc. I have been back to my doc 5 times since this summer flare.
Some tend to dismiss arthritis as simply aging, but living with pain daily can be debilitating.

 

[TripleLindy]

About 15 years ago, I had the same symptoms as described by the OP: neck pain on one side, and difficulty turning my head in that direction. Finally got so bad that I went to my spine surgeon. During the exam, he had me put my arm behind my back and asked me to reach up to the opposite shoulder blade. I couldn’t do it. He advised that I had a shoulder problem, not a neck problem and he was right. I had a torn rotator cuff and labrum. My shoulder didn’t even hurt, or at least didn’t hurt like my neck did.

 

[Koolau]

Yeah, neck issues on and off for years but especially low back issues. Seems the spine just wears out as we age. I'm getting decent relief with steroid shots but nothing is a "cure."

 

[pjigar]

The problem is that by retirement age most folks have some degree of spinal pathology that may or may not be the cause of your pain.

I would second this! My doc said " you have a pinched nerve between C4-C5, put an artificial disc and you will be golden". So I did. It helped with the pain somewhat but the pain is still there after 5 years of surgery. I have learned to make peace with the pain and live on. YMMV.

 

[Aerides]

I would see an orthopedic specialist, I rarely stop with my primary on this sort of thing. An MRI would be a good idea and will see stuff not on xray.

I'm also not a fan of doing PT, or getting devices, or googling for fixes, without a clear diagnosis. Get the problem understood first.

Good luck.

 

[Turbo29]

P.T. helped me get over the acute very painful neck I had. Since PT was ineffective for you, FWIW here are some of the additional things I do or have:
Neck roll pillow. I generally sleep on my back, but this is effective for when I sleep on my side.
As part of my weight resistance regimen, I do lat pulls. I also use stretch bands for "rowing". These keep my shoulders limber, which (in my case) help my neck issue.
Google "Saunders Cervical Traction Device." It's expensive, but it's a Godsend for my occasional flare-ups.

When I had a cervical disk issue 30 years ago I was given a device with a pulley that hangs from the top of a door. There was an assembly of straps to place around my neck, a bag to fill with water (for adjustable weight) and a rope to connect the two. Worked great and relieved the pain and spasms when painkillers and muscle relaxants couldn't touch it. I see they are still available at a very nominal cost.

https://www.amazon.com/Cervical-Traction-Arthritis-Fractions-Graduated/dp/B000FH19QW?th=1

 

[Rianne]

About 15 years ago, I had the same symptoms as described by the OP: neck pain on one side, and difficulty turning my head in that direction. Finally got so bad that I went to my spine surgeon. During the exam, he had me put my arm behind my back and asked me to reach up to the opposite shoulder blade. I couldn’t do it. He advised that I had a shoulder problem, not a neck problem and he was right. I had a torn rotator cuff and labrum. My shoulder didn’t even hurt, or at least didn’t hurt like my neck did.

I forgot to mention in my above post, I have 2 rotator cuff tears and a SLAP tear in my right shoulder. So the neck is probably related to that injury as well. It took 6 months of PT with an awesome therapist and I am back to normal with my shoulder. But the neck...well I can live with it because it's intermittent. There was a point with my shoulder that I was sure of surgery. But the PT was confident, if I was patient over time it would heal. He was right.

 

[John Galt III]

I have a tightness/numbness/tingling (not pain) thing happening sometimes in my upper left back / lower left neck. May have been caused by various traumas to that area all around the same time, about 15 years ago.

Right now, typing, I just feel a slight tightness. No pain. If I keep typing for an hour, it will start to feel 'aggravated and numb', but not painful.

I f I go to the gym and work out on the upper body machines, it will become even more aggravated and numb.

Range of motion is fine. I have mentioned it to my PCP, and he has offered to refer me for an X-ray, but so far I have declined. Not that much a problem, thankfully.

Some days it seems to be 100% gone, but it always comes back. Not getting any worse.

 

[rmbuehler68]

Neck pain can be maddeningly hard to diagnose, let alone treat. Find a doctor with experience treating C-spine issues. They'll probably order an MRI and if you're 'lucky' they'll find some obvious, treatable pathology. The problem is that by retirement age most folks have some degree of spinal pathology that may or may not be the cause of your pain.

So you're left with trying things - which may include: PT, anti-inflammatories, electrical stimulation, acupuncture, steroid injections and, lastly, surgery. In my case 1, 2 and 5 helped, 3 and 4 were ineffective and I've managed to avoid 6 so far. But everyone is different and what worked for me may have little relation to what works for you. Sorry I couldn't give you a more definitive answer. Good luck.

Very helpful response! Appreciate your very informative response. Would you view steroid injections as temporary improvement?

 

[rmbuehler68]

I've had neck arthritis for years, hasn't bothered me too much and when it flares, massage, PT, and Ice/Heat, along with applications of menthol type creams and THC/CBD cream help. I have been taking naproxen daily for years for pain and anti-inflammatory. I hear crunching and popping when my neck moves in certain positions, getting worse lately.
Something happened this summer and I am having a flare of arthritis in my left neck, right hip and knee. Have had a round of prednisone, meloxicam (mobic) prescribed for when it's really bad, doing PT for both knee and neck. Doc gave me an occipital nerve block, which helped with the headaches associated with neck pain. I bought a cervical ortho pillow after researching articles and this one was #1 in a couple of them. I've been sleeping on it for about 2 weeks. Works the best I've ever had for pillows and I've tried a lot.
(MAAS & BATH Ergo Z Pillow)

I have recently started having tingling in my shoulder with the neck pain so Doc just did updated X-rays, no results yet, and referred to Ortho. Got knee injection this week, and hip injection scheduled. Once X-rays are read, I will probably be referred to the spine/pain clinic as I expect the arthritis is now worse and something going on with compression of the nerves.
Sounds weird, but the knee injection removed about 80% of hip/leg issues and I noticed less neck pain!

Best of luck with your arthritis care. Sometimes it is a combination of trying lots of different modalities. And be persistent with your Doc. I have been back to my doc 5 times since this summer flare.
Some tend to dismiss arthritis as simply aging, but living with pain daily can be debilitating.

Thank you so much for sharing...very helpful information particularly the pillow recommendation.

 

[Slater]

Very helpful response! Appreciate your very informative response. Would you view steroid injections as temporary improvement?

I personally know dozens of people including myself that have had neck fusions, discs replaced with artificial, etc...
Neck pain on right side was my issue, intermittent left arm or hand numbness, nerve pain
You need an MRI to see the big picture & know the severity of the issue before you proceed with anything as could make matters worse...
Everyone I know that have had injections including myself has been very short lived temporary relief if any.....
Its a bandaid if you truly have a compressed or damaged disc, usually c5/c6

For me, I had a severely compressed spinal cord, not just a disc issue, no accidents were the cause for me, just happened from wear & tear,

Wasnt a volentary fusion, it was mandatory if I wanted to continue to walk long term & stay out of a wheelchair....
I know old guys I fish with that are ignoring there needed neck fusions & can see their balance is going down hill fast....

Embellish your symptoms & push for an MRI so you can be informed & make an educated decision & not just jump through the least incase route of hoop jumping, try this, try that....
Thats what western medicine does....

 

[stepford]

Very helpful response! Appreciate your very informative response. Would you view steroid injections as temporary improvement?

I have a cervical disc tear/herniation at C4/C5 that caused me quite a bit of pain for the better part of a year. The pain caused muscle spasming which further aggravated the tear, creating a very unpleasant cycle. In my case two epidural steroid injections were able to break that cycle and I have been mostly pain free since.

That said, this is an issue I'll have for the rest of my life and I do get occasional flair ups. These I've managed to tamp down with a combination of anti-inflammatories and stretching exercises before they develop into the pain/spasm cycle I had before. Still this is a condition that I merely manage and may yet require surgery some day. So far I've put off "some day" for 7 years. I call that a win.

 

[DogDad]

I think in some cases, muscle imbalances can affect the opposite side even in cases of arthritis. It can be difficult to figure that out even for a PT.

 

[TheQuestionGuy]

If chiropractor hasn't helped, you can check with a Pain Management Dr.
My wife sees one and 3 times a year she used to go in for injections but has switched to RFA which is when the Dr burns the nerves.
Nerves do grow back but the RFA gives a few months of relief.

 

[frank]

I have neck pain that is mostly at night when I try to sleep. it is on the right side of my neck and feels like a stiff neck or pulled muscle. it has been going on for about 6 months. anyone had this happen or these symptoms and what did you do about it?

 

[pacergal]

I have neck pain that is mostly at night when I try to sleep. it is on the right side of my neck and feels like a stiff neck or pulled muscle. it has been going on for about 6 months. anyone had this happen or these symptoms and what did you do about it?

If no known injury, maybe Try a new pillow? One specifically for cervical support.
Could be arthritis, have you seen your PCP or gotten an X-ray?

 

[frank]

Had x rays and doctor said little arthritis but not enough to cause the symptoms so they signed me up for physical therapy evaluation. Have to wait another month or for that . Thanks for the reply

 

[frank]

Have tried different pillows but not the one you recommended

 

[TheQuestionGuy]

Threw out my pillow last year and thought "I'll just buy a new one."
Well, about a year later and still searching for one that works.
Its surprising how important a pillow can be.

 

[pjigar]

Threw out my pillow last year and thought "I'll just buy a new one."
Well, about a year later and still searching for one that works.
Its surprising how important a pillow can be.

It took me trying over half a dozen different pillow types before I found "the one". I bought 4 backup pillows of the same kind at the time. One of those pillows always travels with me everywhere. Fortunately, this is a memory foam pillow so 4 pillows should last me a lifetime.

PS: You would be surprised that no two memory foam pillows are alike. You can tell the difference if you have a sensitive neck.