Do you also feel a stiffness and pain in your neck when you wake up in the morning, so much so that you can't even move it? Perhaps you wake up at night because of this neck pain. If you feel that this pain increases when you stand up after sitting for a while, the cause may not be a simple neck sprain. This condition may be caused by a disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis . Let's talk about everything in simple terms today.
How does ankylosing spondylitis (AS) affect the neck?
Simply put, Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory condition in which the joints in our body, especially the spine, become inflamed and, over time, become fused together, limiting the movement of the joints.
Neck pain and stiffness usually appear months or years after other symptoms of AS begin. However, some people, especially women, have reported that the disease begins with neck pain.
Remember, 75% of people with AS, or about three out of four people, experience neck pain. So this isn't just something you have.
With this type of neck pain, you may experience:
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Sleep disturbance | Neck pain can suddenly wake you up during sleep at night. |
| Feeling better from exercise | When I walk a little, exercise, or stay active, the pain seems to decrease. |
| Decreased flexibility | Body parts like the neck and spine become more difficult to bend and turn than before. |
How can I manage this neck pain at home?
The good news is that there are many things you can do at home to help manage the neck pain caused by AS. Take care of these things to reduce these discomforts.
1. Make sure to set aside time for exercise.
Sitting in one position for long periods of time can make your neck stiffer. So physical activity can help reduce the pain that comes with AS. It's especially important to maintain flexibility when it comes to neck pain. Do simple stretches that slowly turn your neck from side to side and up and down. These stretch the muscles and joints in your neck and reduce stiffness.
The most important thing: When starting these exercises , start very slowly . Don't go too fast all at once. Gradually increase the amount of exercise you do over time. Exercises like yoga, Pilates, and tai chi can help a lot in reducing this pain.
2. Take care of your posture.
Along with exercising, maintaining good posture can also help with neck pain. Stand in front of a mirror and make sure your neck is in a comfortable, straight position. If you spend most of your day sitting, thinking about your posture in this way can help prevent neck stiffness.
3. Get enough good sleep.
Don't forget the importance of rest. A good, restful night's sleep is one of the best ways to manage neck pain, including other pains caused by AS. Establish a bedtime routine that calms you down before you go to sleep.
- Take a hot bath before going to bed.
- Place a heating pad on the area where your neck hurts. This will help reduce the pain and help you fall asleep more easily.
- Avoid drinking caffeine-containing beverages like coffee and tea after lunch.
- Make it a habit to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
- Avoid napping during the day, as it can disrupt your sleep pattern at night.
- Keep your bedroom tidy. Then you will feel calmer.
- Stop using your phone, tablet, or TV at least an hour before going to bed.
- Eat dinner a little earlier. Going to bed with a full stomach can disrupt your sleep.
The bed and pillow you sleep on are also very important. When you sleep, your head, neck, and other parts of your body should be in line with each other. Use a pillow, but don't put a pillow so high that it pushes your neck up too high. This can make neck pain worse.
4. Drive safely
If you are a driver, don't forget to stop and stretch your body a little while you are on a long journey. Stop the vehicle in a safe place and walk around for about 5 minutes. Stretch your neck and body a little to relieve stiffness.
If your neck is very stiff, it can be difficult to see the sides of the car. In such cases, you can consider special mirrors and parking sensors to help you park the car. Also, always check that the headrest in your car is properly adjusted . Adjust it so that you can rest your head against the back of it.
What medical treatments are available?
In addition to these home remedies, you may also need medical treatment. Talk to your doctor about this and choose what is best for you.
| Treatment method | Description |
|---|---|
| Painkillers | Medications such as acetaminophen and NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) are given first. These can help reduce neck pain and discomfort. |
| Physical Therapy | If proper movement is lost, AS can cause the neck to become stiff and bent forward. A physical therapist can develop a series of exercises that are right for you. These will strengthen the muscles, increase range of motion, and reduce pain. Hydrotherapy is also a good solution for this. |
| Biological therapies | These are very useful treatments for people with AS. The purpose of these drugs is to stop inflammation in the body. These are considered when regular painkillers and physical therapy do not provide relief. Drugs like Adalimumab and Etanercept fall under this category. These are given as injections. |
| Surgery | Most of the time, AS neck pain does not require surgery. However, if the pain or stiffness is severe and other treatments have failed, surgery may be considered. Laminectomy (to relieve nerve compression) and spinal fusion (to join the spine together) are used for this purpose. Be sure to talk to your doctor at length before making this decision. |
Take-Home Message
- Ankylosing Spondylitis is a condition in which the joints of the spine become inflamed, causing stiffness and pain. Neck pain is a common symptom.
- Exercise, especially neck stretching exercises, and maintaining proper posture are very important to reduce pain.
- Getting a comfortable, good night's sleep is essential for pain management. Choose the right pillow and bed.
- If the pain is severe, see your doctor for painkillers, physical therapy, and other specific medications. Never self-medicate.
- Living with this condition can be a challenge, but with proper management and medical advice, you can live a normal life.
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