Yes, sometimes neck pain can be the cause of something serious. In most cases, it is caused by osteoarthritis in the neck, known as the cervical spine. As we age, our joints can become inflamed and degeneration of those joints sets in. Osteoarthritis, or OA, is one of the most common forms of arthritis. It can develop in our joints over time. There are many different types of arthritis, but this one gives almost everyone problems eventually. OA shouldn’t be taken lightly. Although it is very common, it doesn’t mean you have to live with the pain. So many people just accept it as a way of life and that doesn’t have to be the case.
What are some natural treatments for arthritis?
Dietary changes are the most effective natural treatments for arthritis. Pretty much everyone knows that gluten and sugar are bad for us. However, I hear from my patients every day that they don’t eat desserts and sugar on a regular basis. If you are eating gluten, your body will process it is sugar. That bagel for breakfast, the muffin at the coffee shop, and the artisan pizza for dinner the other night all cause inflammation in your body. By eating inflammatory foods on a regular basis, you are causing more inflammation in your joints as well. Taking medications with dangerous side effects are not the answer. You can do it naturally and eventually even cheat every once in a while without pain. It does take time to decrease the inflammation in your body, and it does not happen overnight. Once you start feeling better you will find that dietary changes become easier. I can help you with this, to do it right, and feel better as quickly as possible. Gluten isn’t the only inflammatory food. Others include grains, dairy, artificial colors and sweeteners, and many more that you are probably eating on a regular basis.
What supplements are good for arthritis?
Supplements that are good for arthritis include glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, SAM-e, omega-3 fatty acids, MSM, and more. However if you do not make dietary changes, many of these will not be as effective. Once you change your diet and decrease inflammation, natural treatments will work much better in your body. My last article on medical grade supplements explained how the right form of each supplement is important as well. Many arthritis formulas are substandard over-the-counter formulas, and don’t even have the proper type of each ingredient. It’s important to get the right formulas to do the best job.
How do I know if my neck pain is more serious than just arthritis?
Your neck pain may be more serious than just arthritis if you have tingling or numbness in your shoulders or arms down to your hands. Before starting any therapy, an x-ray should be taken. If your symptoms do go down to your hands, an MRI is generally recommended. This way, other diseases of the spine can be diagnosed properly. Guessing at what your condition is, and taking natural supplements or prescription medications is not good medicine. I always want to know what I am treating in my patients before I treat them. Once we see your x-ray or MRI, treatment will be more specific and effective. We also want to be sure that there is not a more serious condition going on in your body. So many times patients come to me and say they have been complaining of their symptoms for such a long time with little or no relief. This is because they have never been diagnosed properly, or in many cases, self- diagnosed.
As I said earlier, in most cases neck pain is the result of osteoarthritis in the cervical spine. Natural, effective science based treatments for arthritis can include gentle Cox Technic, (see my website for more info on this technique), acupuncture, physiotherapies, and exercises. Again dietary changes and the right supplement formulas will ensure that your inflamed joints will become less painful once the inflammation is reduced. Remember, this is a process. It doesn’t happen next Tuesday! It didn’t happen last Tuesday, so be patient and realize that changes in the body take time. I’ve developed specific protocols in my office to take patients out of pain as quickly as possible, but I am only half of the job. Your responsibility is to eat right, do your exercises, and take care of your body. That way together we can get you feeling better and staying pain free as long as possible without the dangerous side-effects of medications.
For more on neck pain and Cox Technic, please call my office or visit my website.
Any questions regarding any of my articles please email me at
Leisa-Marie Grgula, D.C.
Chiropractic Physician
Accurate Care Pain Relief Center
21043 N. Cave Creek Rd. #A9
Phoenix, AZ 85024
602-493-2228
