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Stop Neck Arthritis Pain Naturally: Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Healing Cycle & Treatment

What is neck arthritis pain? 

Neck pain is among the most important musculoskeletal disorders that have a multifactorial etiology. Neck pain is associated with a remarkable economic burden with reduced work productivity, job-related problems, and increased treatment costs. It has also been established that there is a relatively greater prevalence of chronic neck pain or back pain among individuals who are suffering from any mental disorder compared with individuals who are not. [1] The following sections discuss the normal healing cycle, ineffective treatments, and effective treatment measures for relieving neck arthritis pain. 

Causes of Neck Arthritis Pain

Factors including depressive symptoms, stress, low quality of sleep, consumption of alcohol, and pain aggravating factors contribute to altering the central pain processing in the brainstem, spine, or at the cortical levels of the brain, resulting in remote hyperalgesia. Cervical spondylosis, which refers to the progressive degenerative changes in all the cervical spine components also seems to contribute to neck pain, primarily the musculoskeletal cause of neck pain.

The causes and risk factors of neck arthritis pain are as follows.

  1. 姿势不良 
  2. Prolong driving 
  3. Prolong working at a computer 
  4. Whiplash injury causing neck sprain or strain
  5. 骨关节炎
  6. Herniated disc
  7. Cervical stenosis
  8. 脊柱后凸
  9. Facet joint dysfunction
  10. Muscle strains due to hunched posture 
  11. Diseases including cancer, meningitis, or rheumatoid arthritis

Symptoms of Neck Arthritis Pain

The symptoms of neck arthritis pain are as follows. 

  1. Pain increases upon maintaining a neck position for a long time 
  2. Neck muscle spasms and tightness
  3. Pain in the arm
  4. Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or forearm
  5. Stiff neck
  6. 头痛 

Normal Wound Healing Cycle 

The three stages of the normal wound healing cycle – inflammation, proliferation, and maturation – along with their peculiar features are discussed in the table as follows. [2]

 

炎症阶段

增殖阶段

成熟阶段

Key features of each stage The first stage of the healing cycle is inflammation. The cardinal signs of inflammation are redness, pain, loss of function, warmth, and swelling. During the inflammation stage of the healing cycle, the inflammatory cells release cytokines and inflammatory mediators. The inflammatory mediators cause the immune cells to arrive at the site of injury in order to eliminate the injurious stimuli. The proliferation stage of the wound healing cycle is characterized by re-epithelization, angiogenesis or formation of new blood vessels, deposition of collagen synthesized by the proliferating fibroblasts, and synthesis of the extracellular matrix at the site of injury. Negative feedback mechanisms regulate the proliferation stage of the healing cycle, preventing excessive deposition of collagen and the formation of scar tissue at the site of injury.  This is the final stage of the normal healing cycle, which marks its completion. During this stage, scar formation occurs, and the wound contracts. In the scar tissue, type III collagen is replaced by type I collagen.
Characteristic features in aberrant wound healing The persistent inflammation stage of the healing cycle is characterized by oxidative stress and the release of pro-inflammatory mediators at the site of injury.  Fascia restrictions and muscle trigger points arise during this stage of the wound-healing cycle due to the proliferation of fibroblasts. The persistence of the proliferation stage of the healing cycle occurs in chronic conditions, similar to the persistence of the inflammation stage.  In chronic conditions, the wound healing cycle is unable to attain the maturation stage, thus, oscillates back and forth between the inflammation and proliferation stages. 

 

Ineffective Treatments for Neck Arthritis Pain

Individuals suffering from neck arthritis pain may opt for traditional pain-relieving methods. The following are ineffective therapeutic approaches for neck arthritis pain. Some of these methods may only provide short-term pain relief while others may further precipitate neck arthritis pain. 

  1. Application of heat and ice on the neck
  2. Electrical stimulation of the neck 
  3. Massaging and the use of foam roller at the neck
  4. Mobilization of the neck
  5. Stretching at the neck
  6. Strength exercises of the neck during the inflammation stage 

Effective Treatments for Neck Arthritis Pain

Effective treatments for neck arthritis pain focus on the healing cycle, particularly the inflammation and proliferation stages. These treatment measures are described as follows. 

  1. The resolution of the inflammation stage of the wound healing cycle involves the use of the MagnaHeal device, consumption of an anti-inflammatory diet, and treating vitamin and mineral deficiencies using an anti-inflammatory supplement offered by ASTR. Individuals are also encouraged to rest to promote recovery from neck arthritis pain.
  2. The resolution of the proliferation stage of the wound healing cycle comprises the release of scar tissue, muscle trigger points, and fascia restrictions. A1 Tool releases aponeurotic and superficial fascia restrictions. A3 Tool releases superficial scar tissue and superficial muscle trigger points. A5 Tool releases the deep scar tissue, deep muscle trigger points, and endomysium, epimysium, and perimysium fascia restrictions.
  3. Individuals suffering from neck arthritis pain shall maintain a proper posture.
  4. Individuals suffering from neck arthritis pain shall engage in pain-free activities and remain active to facilitate recovery and pain relief. 
  5. Individuals suffering from neck arthritis pain shall ensure core stabilization. Core stabilization exercises are important for preventing injury and enhancing physical and functional performance. These exercises target the core musculoskeletal system and promote dynamic stabilization of the spine as well as the proximal appendicular skeleton. [3]
  6. Individuals suffering from neck arthritis pain shall perform pain-free neck exercises. 

结论 

Neck pain is among the most important musculoskeletal complaints and poses a substantial financial burden to the affected population across the globe. Neck pain may arise from diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, herniated disc, osteoarthritis, cervical stenosis, and kyphosis. Not only is neck pain associated with musculoskeletal conditions, but is also associated with psychological conditions including depression, stress, anxiety, and poor quality of sleep. ASTR-based tools and protocols are effective in alleviating neck pain naturally as these target the inflammation and proliferation stages of the wound healing cycle. Treatment measures include the intake of anti-inflammatory supplements and diet, the use of MagnaHeal devices, and A1, A3, and A5 tools for releasing scar tissue, fascia restrictions, and trigger points. 

参考 

  1. Kazeminasab, S., Nejadghaderi, S. A., Amiri, P., Pourfathi, H., Araj-Khodaei, M., Sullman, M. J. M., Kolahi, A. A., & Safiri, S. (2022). Neck pain: global epidemiology, trends and risk factors. BMC musculoskeletal disorders23(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04957-4
  2. Grubbs H, Manna B. Wound Physiology. [Updated 2022 May 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518964/
  3. Huxel Bliven, K. C., & Anderson, B. E. (2013). Core stability training for injury prevention. Sports health5(6), 514–522. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738113481200