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Can you advise on the best pain management for this arthritis in addition to posture?

Ask your GP to be referred to a pain specialist clinic. I have several discs out in my neck and was diagnosed with arthritis in my early thirties. When the pain in my shoulder and arm got unbearable, along with severe migraine, my GP did just that.
Within 2 weeks I saw a local specialist, who advised occipital nerve block. That was 4 years ago and I now have them every six months. The pain was instantly eased and best of all, no more migraine. I get a little pain towards the end of the six months and the odd headache, but that is it!

Hello,

The pain of neck arthritis can definitely be improved with postural advice, for example your position when at a desk or driving, but may also be helped by hands-on physical therapies such as physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic treatment or acupuncture. Yoga and Tai Chi can also help improve flexibility and posture and some people find benefit from massage therapy. If you have rheumatoid arthritis rather than osteoarthritis, however, you may need investigations if you suddenly develop worsening neck pain, and you should avoid manual treatments to your neck such as manipulation.

Wendy

Wendy

Dr Wendy Holden
Medical Advisor to Arthritis Action and Consultant Rheumatologist
www.arthritisaction.org.uk /
info@arthritisaction.org /

Hi,

I too suffer from neck arthritis and highly recommend doing daily neck exercises to help relieve pain, ease stiffness, loosen and strengthen the muscles and improve the range of movement.

Exercises like head retraction - which involves pulling your head back slowly as far as you can, while looking straight ahead and keeping your chin tucked in (you should have a double chin if you're doing it correctly!) can really help to ease neck pain.

Others I find helpful include neck side bends - where you bend your neck sideways as if you're trying to touch your right shoulder with your right ear and then your left shoulder with your left ear.

Neck rotations - where you hold your head in the retracted position, then slowly turn you head to the right as far as you can, hold a few seconds and then turn to the left.

Hold each position for a few seconds, relax and repeat up to five times.

If you haven't already seen a physiotherapist I recommend asking your GP for a referral - as they can advise you on the best exercises for your symptoms and check that you're doing them correctly - though in the meantime I'm sure you'll find the ones I've mentioned beneficial.

I hope this helps,

Wendy