DR MIRIAM STOPPARD

QI’m in my mid-60s and I’ve got terrible neck pain. I don’t seem to be able to get rid of it and my doctor says I’m just getting old. But not at 66 surely? As our joints and spine age we do tend to get more aches and pains.

There’s a particular kind of ageing that happens to the vertebral bones where new bone forms and may press on the spinal nerves.

This is a form of osteoarthritis and is due largely to wear and tear.

AIt can also affect the joint between the spine and the skull, and cause headaches. The former may cause pain going down to your shoulder and into your arm and hand. Most neck pain gets better within two months but about half of patients can have pain for more than a year. Smoking, obesity and poor general health make it worse. Physiotherapy as well as medication could help, so speak to your doctor about making a plan to ease your symptoms.