Posts

Laminectomy and Fusion for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

/696 Comments/in , , , /by

laminectomy for cervical spondylotic myelopathyCervical spondylotic myelopathy accounts for the majority of cases of spinal cord dysfunction in older adults. This common cause of neck pain results from degenerative changes in the cervical spine, including age-related damage to the joints, discs, ligaments, and connective tissue in the neck, that results in spinal cord compression. The treatment for this condition will depend on the extent of the degeneration and symptoms but typically involves laminectomy and spinal fusion. Read more

Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma as a Cause of Neck Pain and Spinal Cord Compression

/1,064 Comments/in , , , /by

neck pain hodgkins lymphoma spinal cord compressionThere are so many common causes of neck pain, most of which are non-life threatening, that few stop to consider that a pain in the neck could have a cancerous root.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the cervical spine can be a cause of spinal cord compression and neck pain but these serious underlying causes may be overlooked, especially in the elderly where weakness and falls are attributed to other conditions. Read more

Why Does My Neck Hurt When I Open My Mouth?

/608 Comments/in , , /by

jaw and neck pain when opening the mouthNeck pain upon opening the mouth can be a sign of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) or, in layman’s terms, a dysfunction of the jawbone and surrounding structures. TMD describes a group of disorders, some of which are pretty common, affecting some 6-12% of adults. Women, and younger adults are more likely to experience TMDs but they can affect anyone throughout life. Read more

Neck Pain and Xanax Withdrawal

/1,092 Comments/in , , /by

xanax withdrawal and neck painThere are numerous causes of neck pain but many people don’t realise that withdrawal from medications can be one such trigger. This is particularly true of medications taken to help with anxiety and depression, which can also have the effect of relaxing muscles and desensitising users to pain. Neck pain during Xanax withdrawal is, therefore, a common concern that may be easily overlooked considering the other issues faced by those quitting benzodiazepines. Read more

Thunder God Vine with Methotrexate Better than Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication Alone

/778 Comments/in , , /by

thunder god vine rheumatoid arthritis methotrexateA Chinese herb sometimes referred to as ‘take 7 steps and die’ has been found to be as good as methotrexate for treating active rheumatoid arthritis, a potential trigger for neck pain. Also known as thunder god vine and lei gong teng, Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f (or TwHF for short), has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to ease the symptoms of joint pain and inflammation. However, home-brewed concoctions of this herb can prove deadly, leading British medical authorities to issue a safety warning over its use in recent years. Read more

Cervical Brachial Neuritis – A Rare Cause of Neck and Shoulder Pain

/547 Comments/in , , , /by

brachial neuritis neck pain shoulder lower than otherParsonage-Turner Syndrome may sound a little like a band from the 1970s but, in fact, this medical condition could be the cause of your ongoing neck and shoulder pain. Also known as brachial neuritis, this syndrome involves inflammation of the brachial plexus that results in acute pain in the shoulder and arm, sometime radiating into the neck and leading to weakness and/or numbness. Read more

Common Causes of Neck Pain in the Elderly

/294 Comments/in /by

seniors neck pain causesOlder adults frequently experience neck pain and back pain, with a variety of anatomical, pathological, and physiological factors involved in the development of symptoms. Arthritis is a common cause of neck pain in seniors attributed to the spine itself, as are discogenic disorders, trauma, tumours, and infection. Other issues involve the muscles in the neck, or nervous system function. Below, we outline some key causes of neck pain, because knowing its origins is essential to getting appropriate treatments and, where possible, for preventing pain recurring. Read more

What is Osteoarthritis and How Can You Reduce Spine Degeneration from this Common Cause of Neck Pain?

/258 Comments/in , , /by

osteoarthritis neck pain causesAs one of the most prevalent chronic musculoskeletal diseases in the world, osteoarthritis is a common cause of chronic neck pain. This condition usually affects the joints in the hands, knees, hips, and spine, leading to deformity, swelling, and impaired mobility and function, in addition to causing pain. Read more

Neck Pain and Gout at Christmas

/278 Comments/in , , /by

gout and neck pain christmas turkey purine foods

Aside from turkey, there are many foods those with gout might want to avoid.

Gout probably wasn’t on your list of things for Santa to bring this year so why is your January starting with a gout attack and neck pain? There’s likely a clue or two lurking in your drinks cabinet and refrigerator (think Christmas goose, or turkey!) so maybe that new year resolution can involve a gout-free 2014 by finding out what other foods to avoid when you have gout. Read more

How the Spine Narrows Naturally with Age

/939 Comments/in , /by

cervical spinal stenosis ageSome degree of spinal stenosis (narrowing) occurs with age, with all of the structures of the spine changing over time. Whether or not these changes will result in symptoms from pinched nerves, spinal cord compression, or blood vessel occlusion or damage depends on the anatomy of each individual. Read more