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Rheumatoid Arthritis and Neck Pain

Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, causes the immune system to attack and destroy the joints in the body, including the joints in the neck. Both at home remedies and professional medical treatments may help this painful condition.

  1. Inflammation

    • Inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis adds to the pain and discomfort of the condition.

    Exercise

    • Dr. Marcelle Pick writes on WomanToWoman.com that many of her patients find relief by exercising the joint. Learn methods to safely exercise the neck by consulting a doctor or physical therapist.

    Flares

    • Experiencing rheumatoid arthritis pain of the neck at consistent levels does not always occur. These seasons of heightened pain levels, called flares, may occur from several factors, including stress and infection.

    Sleep

    • Neck pain from arthritis often causes difficulty sleeping. Patients may benefit by making sure that their pillow properly supports the neck.

    Medication

    • Several medication options exist that RA patients might choose to treat their pain. For example, some RA patients find relief from RA related neck pain by using over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen. Others may need prescription medications such as prednisone and methylprednisolone, which help reduce the inflammation and pain in the neck.

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