Hi, I would appreciate if Dr. can explain the following issues that I have. The last few weeks I have neck pains that spreads to the back and top of my head and it strains to turn my head from side to side or to flip from up and down.
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Neck pain
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4 UpVoted this answer
First of all, has there been any trauma, or injury to your neck in the weeks before this started? It is difficult to explain whats going on without a more detailed explanation of what could have caused this. Considering your age, you should get xrays taken of your neck to better determine whats going on in there. There could be anything from arthritis to a disc herniation to a compression fracture. As for the pain going to the top of your head, the muscles that are contracted and restricting the motion of your head are probably irritating the greater occipital nerve that runs between C1 and the occiput up the back of your head to the top of your head. Correcting the problem that is causing the pain when you move your head should also relieve the pain going to the top of your head.
3 UpVoted this answer
It sound like a condition called subluxation of the cervical spine--which means one or more of your neck bones are out of alignment. I suggest that you consultant a competent chiropractor. They should perform the necessary noninvasive tests to confirm. If it is subluxation, they should also be able to treat it.
3 UpVoted this answer
Hello,
The answer can be complicated but the most common reasons would be 1)arthritis, 2)cervical stenosis, 3)muscle strain, 4) herniated disc. Always start with Xrays and then if needed, MRI. Most symptoms can be treated with chiropractic adjustments, osteopathic manipulation, massage, myofascial release, acupuncture. Conservative techniques are preferred over just taking ibuprofen or naproxen or tylenol although you can try out. Stenosis is simply narrowing in the spine canal that may pinch a nerve. Injections such trigger point injections, facet injections, epidurals, can be tried. You can try anti inflammatory creams. I developed one for this purpose.www.drjoesnutrition.com/products/all-flex-plus as it can relieve symptoms of arthritis and spasm.
The answer can be complicated but the most common reasons would be 1)arthritis, 2)cervical stenosis, 3)muscle strain, 4) herniated disc. Always start with Xrays and then if needed, MRI. Most symptoms can be treated with chiropractic adjustments, osteopathic manipulation, massage, myofascial release, acupuncture. Conservative techniques are preferred over just taking ibuprofen or naproxen or tylenol although you can try out. Stenosis is simply narrowing in the spine canal that may pinch a nerve. Injections such trigger point injections, facet injections, epidurals, can be tried. You can try anti inflammatory creams. I developed one for this purpose.www.drjoesnutrition.com/products/all-flex-plus as it can relieve symptoms of arthritis and spasm.
1 UpVoted this answer
Dear Pain in The Atlanto-Occipital Junction,
Where your head attaches to the cervical spine is known as the Atlanto-Occipital Junction. There are several ligaments, tendons, and nerves that are all suspect here. Review this article for the specifics...http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1265682-overview. So ask yourself, what have I been doing that could possibly lead to pain? Rheumatoid Arthritis is the big one here. Occipital neuralgia and disc herniation should be confirmed with 3.0 Tesla MRI. Start with a proper H&P followed by appropriate Imaging studies like a 3.0 MRI. Depending on circumstances treatment modalities should be escalated in appropriate fashion. Even something as simple as the pillow that you are sleeping on should be explored... Good Luck.
Where your head attaches to the cervical spine is known as the Atlanto-Occipital Junction. There are several ligaments, tendons, and nerves that are all suspect here. Review this article for the specifics...http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1265682-overview. So ask yourself, what have I been doing that could possibly lead to pain? Rheumatoid Arthritis is the big one here. Occipital neuralgia and disc herniation should be confirmed with 3.0 Tesla MRI. Start with a proper H&P followed by appropriate Imaging studies like a 3.0 MRI. Depending on circumstances treatment modalities should be escalated in appropriate fashion. Even something as simple as the pillow that you are sleeping on should be explored... Good Luck.
1 UpVoted this answer
If you have not been in a MVA the likelihood that you have a muscular spasm known as "spasmodic torticollis" is very high. It can usually be relieved with muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and perhaps some physical therapy. Best to check with your primary care practitioner to insure that there is not something more sinister involved.
The neck pains that you have, traveling up to your head and aggravated by the movements that you describe are caused by an irritation of the muscles, joints and nerves in your neck. At some point your neck was injured, if not from an old sports injury, fall or car accident, just repetitive stress.
As a result of that neck injury, some areas started to move less freely and some areas had to work harder to compensate and give you the same amount of movement that you are used to.
Over time this abnormal stress causes damage to the muscles, joints and nerves but it's gradual so we usually don't notice it. Eventually the damage gets to the point where you are aware of it in the form of some kind of symptom like neck pain that spreads to the back and top of your head that also causes strains as you turn your head from side to side or when you flip from up and down.
A trusted chiropractor can help you resolve the neck pain and the strained movement by restoring normal motion and rehabilitating those old neck injuries.
As a result of that neck injury, some areas started to move less freely and some areas had to work harder to compensate and give you the same amount of movement that you are used to.
Over time this abnormal stress causes damage to the muscles, joints and nerves but it's gradual so we usually don't notice it. Eventually the damage gets to the point where you are aware of it in the form of some kind of symptom like neck pain that spreads to the back and top of your head that also causes strains as you turn your head from side to side or when you flip from up and down.
A trusted chiropractor can help you resolve the neck pain and the strained movement by restoring normal motion and rehabilitating those old neck injuries.
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If this problem has been going for a few weeks, you should have an evaluation by a physician. Your primary care doctor will likely be able to help you. If the pain persists after conservative care or the symptoms significantly worsen, imaging studies such as an MRI can help identify or rule out several potential causes. While the most common causes are benign and self limited, more ominous causes such as cancer, compression fracture, or discitis need to be ruled out as well. Once a diagnosis is made, it is much more likely that a proper, focused, and effective treatment plan can be formulated to help you.
You are sensing pain. Sensors are spread throughout the entire body, and they detect sensations and send them to the brain; the brain translates this sensory information into something that has a meaning to you (itch, pain, hot, cold, etc).
In between each of your spinal vertebra are spaces, similar to freeway entrances/exits. If the on-ramp of a specific exit gets destroyed, there will be a traffic jam on the streets in that area as cars are waiting in the detour line. Everybody in those cars are stressed out. It's no good.
The on-ramp for the streets in the area of the back and top of your head has been damaged and needs some repair. There could be many things wrong: the pavement has a big pothole, a street light fell over, a car collision is blocking all the lanes, etc. There is a similar situation happening in your neck, where the lanes are all open when you hold your head in certain positions, and the lanes are all blocked when you hold your head in other positions.
Best you go to an office that has both a chiropractor and an acupuncturist to get well taken care of.
In between each of your spinal vertebra are spaces, similar to freeway entrances/exits. If the on-ramp of a specific exit gets destroyed, there will be a traffic jam on the streets in that area as cars are waiting in the detour line. Everybody in those cars are stressed out. It's no good.
The on-ramp for the streets in the area of the back and top of your head has been damaged and needs some repair. There could be many things wrong: the pavement has a big pothole, a street light fell over, a car collision is blocking all the lanes, etc. There is a similar situation happening in your neck, where the lanes are all open when you hold your head in certain positions, and the lanes are all blocked when you hold your head in other positions.
Best you go to an office that has both a chiropractor and an acupuncturist to get well taken care of.