I see a chiropractor once a week on a special discount plan. I use a frozen bottle of water in a washcloth under the curve of my neck for 10 minutes. I use moist heat too, by wetting a handtowel and setting it in the microwave for 15 seconds. The cold stuff is for inflammation and hot is for the tense muscles. Before I was on painkillers and muscle relaxers, I took naproxen sodium/ Aleve, ibuprofen/Motrin, Nuprin. If you take anti-inflammatories then make sure you protect your stomach with food or you'll end up taking omeprazole for an upset stomach too. Make sure you keep a pillow between your knees and ankles to balance your hips and spine if you are a side sleeper. If you sleep on your back, then pillow under your knees to support your spine. A dry rolled hand towel or towel rolled tight to go under your neck to support the curve. You do not want your chin touching your chest while sleeping. That creates the negative curve or straightening that cause pinched nerves and sore muscles. I can't state enough how much my chiropractor has helped me with my osteoarthritis that starts in my neck and goes down the spine and into the hips. I will also use a TENS unit at home, with pads on the shoulder below the neck area. There are neck stretches that are very gentle and work on loosening the muscles that are sore from being pulled out of alignment by tension and neck pain. I will tilt my head sideways to my shoulder. The side I'm tilting away from, that arm can hang down or you can simple sit on your hand. The arm on the side of the tilt can gently pull your head toward the shoulder. Don't roll your neck from side to side because it can cause more pulling in the wrong areas and cause more pinching. Yes, the first time my chiropractor saw me rolling my neck to loosen my shoulders, he jumped up to stop me and explained why I can tilt and pull but not roll...torticullis? I called it turtle necking. Good luck. Arthritis in any form just sucks.

I do and tiger balm is my best friend. I rub it into my neck at the base of my skull. Actually I use it on my temples when my head aches. It does help and it's inexpensive.

My only add to above is if you have not changed Dr already do so..and if the DX of arthritis is not recent, ask them to retest you. That way you know if it's gotten worse,or if something else is going on.

Hi Nita I have issues with every disc , I find gentle stretching helps , have you had physio . Mine is now impacting on head and shoulders . I have a shaped pillow to sleep on . I am now taking gabapentin, I find heat works best for me . My partner. M puts Roman chamomile on my back and neck before bed, naturally anti inflammatory, mix it with grape seed oil ( home made) x I am waiting for nerve block injections x I hope it eases x

I have a bad disk in my neck, I have rolled up towels while laying down to support it ,also a travel pillow gives support. I have a cherry pit pillow I heat in the microwave to give pain relief. It really gives off moist heat and last awhile.