Systemic Causes Of Neck Pain

The more serious causes of neck pain are due to systemic diseases. For instance, in polymyalgia rheumatica acute neck pain can be one of the first symptoms, but as is pointed out at this link in more detail this can be associated with a potentially dangerous temporal arteritis, which can lead to blindness in an eye, if not treated aggressively.

On the other hand with rheumatoid arthritis the upper end of the cervical spine is often affected with subluxations of the joints between the first and second vertebral bodies(atlantoaxial subluxation).

There is a danger of spinal cord stenosis or compression. With ankylosing spondylitis the spine tends to get stiff and after years of this disease, apart from the lumbar spine, the cervical spine is affected as well. Look at this link for more details and the associated eye problems as well. The integrity of the bone structure of the spine can be undermined by a malignancy. Look under multiple myeloma for more details on this bone tumor (Ref.3, p. 966).

Chronic pain does respond to the non-drug method of IceWave patches from Lifewave . This is an FDA approved pain control method. It is mentioned in the book "Breakthrough" by Suzanne Somers (Ref. 7) where newer insights of antiaging medicine are also reviewed. Although the patches are placed over acupuncture points, there are no needles involved. Nanotechnology, a newer technology, was used in the manufacturing of these patches and infrared (heat) waves from body heat are utilized to stimulate an acupuncture point, which modifies pain perception and reduces pain to half or less. Medically this would be considered an excellent pain reliever. For more info on the patches see the IceWave patches from Lifewave link above (click "products"). In the US a 5 pack of the IceWave spray is available that can be directly sprayed onto the skin in the area where the pain is located.

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Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

1. ABC of rheumatology, second edition, edited by Michael L. Snaith , M.D., BMJ Books, 1999. Chapter 2.

2. D Irnich et al. BMJ 2001 Jun 30;322(7302):1574.

3. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 140.

7. Suzanne Somers: "Breakthrough" Eight Steps to Wellness-- Life-altering Secrets from Today's Cutting-edge Doctors", Crown Publishers, 2008

Last Modified: Nov. 15, 2008