Question
Is it possible that this condition is caused by arthritis?  Specifically, psoriatic arthritis?  I have been doing a lot of research since the MRI results.  I never actually put it all together, but I have had psoriasis since I was 16, and seem to have almost all of the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.  Additionally, my paternal grandmother had lupus and rheumatoid arthitis.  I'm not trying to self-diagnose, just wondering if it's worth addtional testing for arthritis.  

-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I have had neck pain, headaches, migraines and TMJ.  The symptoms started about 15 years ago with daily headaches and frequent stiff neck.  I have been treated by a chiropractor for this length of time.  Recently, I took a tumble down the stairs.  I didn't notice any neck pain at the time, but about 3 weeks later I had a severe muscle spasm in my neck.  This prompted x-rays, and physical therapy, and most recently an MRI.  My results were provided to me and I have been asked to schedule a consult with a neurosurgeon.  Can you help me with the MRI results...?

1.  Left paracentral disc herniation at c5-6 with moderal central canal stenosis.
2.  Small right foraminal disc protrusion at C4-5 resulting in moderate right foraminal stenosis.
3.  Bulging slightly asymmetric to the right at c3-4 with mild stenosis.
4.  Bulging at c6-7.

COMMENT:
There is a reversal of the cervical lordosis.  There is narrowing and desiccation of the discs from c3-4 through c6-7.  At c3-4, there is a slight asymmetric disc bulge to the right with mild narrowing of the right neural foramen.  At c4-5 there is a bulge of the disc.  There is a broad-based right foraminal protrusion.  There is moderate right foraminal stenosis and mild left foraminal stenosis.  At c5-6 there is a bulge of the disc with a central to left paracentral disc herniation.  It results in moderate central canal stenosis with slight flattening of the ventral surface of the cord.  

At c6-7 there is bulging of the disc with a mild central disc protrusion.  It results in minimal stenosis.  At c7-t1 there is no significant stenosis.
Answer -
Amy:

Understood completely!

What this is saying is that most of the cushions between the bones in your neck are falling apart and moving out from between the bones. Unfortunetly, they are moving out in a direction which tends to squish them up againist the spinal cord and the nerve roots which makes it real hard for the spinal cord and nerves to work.

How long and how often did you go to the chiropractor? What did he/she do during your visits? It sounds like he/she may have failed to do their job.

Here is a good link which explains discs.

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article290.html?news=beta2

Copy that and paste it into the address bar of your browser and hit enter. There are some fairly good pictures there also.

I would suggest you try one of those home cervical remoulding devises that are on the market now. This is not cervical traction. It is a devise you lay your neck on and has a strap that runs across the forehead and an air cushion under the neck which can be pumped up and down to reform the neck. I believe it is called a Posture Trak, can't be sure. I can get more information on that if you need it.

Please advise if this answers your question.

David R.  

Answer
Amy:

This very likely could be psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis comes from the small intestines, a 'leaky gut syndrome". A leaky gut will cause arthrits anywhere in the body, it just happened to land in your neck. This was proably due to a previous weakness in the neck.

The term "psoraitic arthritis" as an end to the matter is misleading. Naming it does not cure it. One has to get to the root of the problem, in this case the gut.

Correcting a leaky gut requires professional care. If you want a referral to a chiropractor near you who can do it, please let me know.

Dr. Rozeboom