Pain In The Neck

Stressful Times Can Make Cervical Osteoarthritis An Even Bigger Pain In The Neck

Cervical Osteoarthritis, a condition involving changes to the bones, discs and joints of the neck, is normally caused by the normal wear and tear of aging. Symptoms can appear at about 50-years of age and may include [1]:

  • Neck stiffness and pain
  • Headache that may originate in the neck
  • Pain in the shoulder or arms
  • Inability to fully turn the head or bend the neck, sometimes interfering with driving
  • Grinding noise sensation when the neck is turned

How Stress Can Aggravate Osteoarthritis

Cervical Osteoarthritis is usually a chronic or long term condition but tends not to be progressive.

The condition can, however, be aggravated by stressful conditions. Between an extended and tense political climate, a global pandemic, and the holiday season, it’s safe to say stress levels may be at an all time high for many. According to the American Institute of Stress, physical pain – such as back pain, neck pain, and muscle spasms – are some of the most common symptoms of stress [2]. For those already suffering neck pain from bad discs, pinched nerves, cervical osteoarthritis, or other trauma, added stress can take a pain in the neck to new levels.

Increased stress levels can also increase headaches that originate in the neck. When faced with stress, anxiety, or depression, neck muscles often tense up, pulling on your neck joints. When these joints are pulled too tight, a stress headache can result in just a few minutes [3]. Stress headaches on their own directly impact mood and ability to perform everyday activities [4]. Add in chronic neck pain on top of that, and for many quality of life is certainly being impacted.

Neck Surgery Is A Last Resort

Neck surgery is usually used as a last resort solution to osteoarthritis, performed only if there is severe loss of function. Most cervical osteoarthritis treatments, instead, are conservative and tend to only provide temporary relief. Typical treatments include medication, physical therapy, ice and heat therapy, chiropractic treatments or perhaps a cervical collar. Many have also tried steroid injections (known as epidural steroid or cervical facet joint injections), which often offer pain reduction for the short term, but have proved to be ineffective in the long run [5].

Even in severe cases where surgery can be a consideration, patients need to be aware that neck surgery is riddled with many risks, with complications occurring in about 36% of fusion patients. In the same kind of surgery, 76% of patients required narcotics for pain and missed 3 times as much work as those who didn’t have surgery [6]. Surgery is not a guaranteed, permanent solution. Additionally, in our experience at Regenexx, few of the patients offered neck surgery actually benefit from it; most chronic neck pain can be treated without taking that risk.

Do Your Research:
Consider A Nonsurgical Solution With Strong Potential for Long Term Success

Our research shows that stem cell and PRP procedures may be a permanent solution to chronic neck pain/osteoarthritis, without big downtime. During our outpatient procedures, our expert physicians use precise image guidance to inject custom concentrations of your body’s natural healing agents into the exact areas of damage in your neck and beyond to treat the underlying cause of neck pain. Best of all, your downtime will be a fraction of surgery, with little to no need for opioid pain medications or time off of work.

Benefits:

  • Increased neck function
  • Pain reduction
  • Most individuals do not experience extensive downtime
  • Minimal time off of work
  • No surgery
  • Minimal disruption of regular routine

In a time that is already chalk-full of stress, don’t add more with failure to take action, or worse taking action that may only bring temporary relief.

We know it can be overwhelming to choose a solution for your pain, so if you’re a little earlier in your research process, perhaps you may benefit from attending  a live webinar with one of Regenexx Pittsburgh’s three doctors.

References

[1]  https://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/cervical-osteoarthritis-cervical-spondylosis

[2] https://www.stress.org/stress-effects

[3] https://nptvt.com/neck-pain-headaches-stress/

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5539409/

[5] https://www.healthline.com/health/neck-surgery

[6] https://regenexxpittsburgh.com/alternative-to-spine-surgery-and-epidural-steroid-injections/

About The Author
Dr. Marc Adelsheimer

Dr. Marc Adelsheimer

Dr. Marc Adelsheimer

Dr. Marc Adelsheimer

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At Regenexx Pittsburgh, we are foremost committed to the health and safety of our patients. Our team adheres strictly to COVID-19 protection protocols and ALL staff wear masks and are COVID-19 vaccinated.

Advanced IOF Certifications

Certified at the highest level for Ankle / Foot, Wrist / Hand, Hip, Knee, Shoulder, and Spine Intradiscal

Specialized Certifications

Top available certifications in Diagnostic Ultrasound, Bone Marrow and Adipose Aspirate, and Nucleated Cell Counting

Educational Certifications

Our doctors have earned both General Instructor as well as Spine Instructor certifications.

Knee

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Knee Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Meniscus Tears
  • Patellofemoral
  • Syndrome/Chondomalacia
  • ACL Tears + PCL, LCL & MCL Tears & Sprains
  • Patellar Tendonitis
  • Pes anersine bursitis
  • Baker’s cyst
  • Instability
  • Hamstrings Tendinopathy & Biceps Femoris Insertional Tendinopathy

Lower Spine

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Spine Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Lumbar Facet Injury
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Herniated or Bulging Disc
  • Radiculopathy (pinched nerve)
  • SI Joint Syndrome
  • Many More Disc and Low Back Issues

Foot & Ankle

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Foot & Ankle Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Ankle Instability
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Peroneal tendon tear or split
  • Ligament sprain or tear
  • Sub-talar arthritis or instability
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Bunions

Cervical Spine

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Spine Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Cervical Instability
  • Cervical Facet Injury
  • Neck, Back or Rib Instability
  • Many More Disc and Cervical Issues Causing Pain

Shoulder

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Shoulder Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Arthritis of the shoulder joint
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Labral tears or degeneration
  • Rotator cuff tendonitis & tendonosis
  • AC Joint Separation
  • Recurrent shoulder dislocations

Elbow

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Elbow Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Instability
  • Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow
  • Nerve entrapment (ulnar nerve)

Hip

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Hip Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Osteonecrosis
  • Bursitis
  • Tendinopathy
  • Labral / Labrum Tear

Hand & Wrist

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions.

View Details About Hand & Wrist Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Hand Arthritis
  • Basal Joint Arthritis or CMC / Carpometacarpal
  • Arthritis
  • Instability
  • TFCC Tear
  • Carpal Tunnel SyndromeTrigger Finger