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What Causes Severe Neck Pain Leading To Tension Headaches?
Question: Hi Doctor, in August 2014 I started having severe neck pain that started causing bad tension headaches and neck pain, even shocks in my head. I am very sure it was from very poor computer posture as nothing else caused an injury. When the problem began, I started receiving massage therapy , muscle relaxers, and chiropractor support. Things slowly improved until my 100 pound son jump on my upper right shoulder area. This seem to set the problem back. By late November, after having a negative MRI and Xrays on my neck, I was sent physical therapy that helped improve the problem, but not 100%. Even today, have to stretch my neck everyday and do PT for my upper back to keep my muscles strong. Now it is late Feb. 2015 and still my neck gets tight during the day, sometimes causing muscle tension headaches. I don't have much neck pain when I wake up in the morning, which I think has to do with not using my neck muscles. The only thing that seems to help are muscle relaxers. My neck doctor no longer sees me and sent me to a pain management specialist. He gave me a shot of pain killers and cortisone in the neck and back, but that only provides temporary relief. Do you have any suggestions or concerns about what this problem could be?
My age is 38, I am a male, 5'9, latino with no history of neck pain in my family. I also watch my neck posture a lot now being on the computer.
My age is 38, I am a male, 5'9, latino with no history of neck pain in my family. I also watch my neck posture a lot now being on the computer.
Brief Answer:
Due to muscle stiffness.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Your problem seems to be due to to stiff neck muscles due to a poor posture. This can improve with oral muscle relaxants and a hot compress in the area. You need to improvise your posture and do regular neck strengthening exercises.
If you work for long hours on the computer, the following link will tell you the posture to maintain while working:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/positions.html
Back strengthening exercises will also help.
Since the MRI shows no abnormality there is no need to worry. It can improve with regular exercise. You can avoid using a pillow.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Due to muscle stiffness.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Your problem seems to be due to to stiff neck muscles due to a poor posture. This can improve with oral muscle relaxants and a hot compress in the area. You need to improvise your posture and do regular neck strengthening exercises.
If you work for long hours on the computer, the following link will tell you the posture to maintain while working:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/positions.html
Back strengthening exercises will also help.
Since the MRI shows no abnormality there is no need to worry. It can improve with regular exercise. You can avoid using a pillow.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What are some neck exercises I can do? Do you have a link you can send me?
To answer you questions I am usually at my PC 8 hours a day.
I do the chin tucks and various neck stretches. Also, the pain is mainly to the right of the 1st thoracic vertebrae where the end of the neck meets my back/spinal area; however, the pain/tension will sometimes switch to the left side, like yesterday, but now it is back on the right side. It is not painful right on the spine/ but right to the right of that bone?
The reason I am concerned is I am watching my posture, but it is taking more than six months to get better. Why is this the care?
To answer you questions I am usually at my PC 8 hours a day.
I do the chin tucks and various neck stretches. Also, the pain is mainly to the right of the 1st thoracic vertebrae where the end of the neck meets my back/spinal area; however, the pain/tension will sometimes switch to the left side, like yesterday, but now it is back on the right side. It is not painful right on the spine/ but right to the right of that bone?
The reason I am concerned is I am watching my posture, but it is taking more than six months to get better. Why is this the care?
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
It takes months for the muscles to regain their strength. These muscles have been misused for at least 15 years before the problem has started. The area of pain can vary and according to your posture it can be more pronounced on one side.
The exercises that can help are -
ISOMETRIC EXERCISES:
Do not hold your breath as you do these. For each exercise press for 5-6 counts, then relax.
- Press your forehead into your palms. Resist any motion.
- Press your hand against the side of your head.Resist any motion.
- Press both hands against back of your head. Try to pull your head up. Resist any motion.
- Press your head against your temple. Try to turn your chin to your shoulder. Resist any motion.
You can do these exercises 5 times each twice a day.
2- Correct sitting posture:
- Support your back.
- Adjust your chair height so that you can use the keyboard with your wrists and forearms straight and level with the floor.
- Rest your feet on floor.
- Place your screen at eye level.
- Place your keyboard in front of you when typing. Leave a gap of about four to six inches at the front of the desk to rest your wrists between bouts of typing.
- Position and use the mouse as close to you as possible.
- Your screen should be as glare-free as possible.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
It takes months for the muscles to regain their strength. These muscles have been misused for at least 15 years before the problem has started. The area of pain can vary and according to your posture it can be more pronounced on one side.
The exercises that can help are -
ISOMETRIC EXERCISES:
Do not hold your breath as you do these. For each exercise press for 5-6 counts, then relax.
- Press your forehead into your palms. Resist any motion.
- Press your hand against the side of your head.Resist any motion.
- Press both hands against back of your head. Try to pull your head up. Resist any motion.
- Press your head against your temple. Try to turn your chin to your shoulder. Resist any motion.
You can do these exercises 5 times each twice a day.
2- Correct sitting posture:
- Support your back.
- Adjust your chair height so that you can use the keyboard with your wrists and forearms straight and level with the floor.
- Rest your feet on floor.
- Place your screen at eye level.
- Place your keyboard in front of you when typing. Leave a gap of about four to six inches at the front of the desk to rest your wrists between bouts of typing.
- Position and use the mouse as close to you as possible.
- Your screen should be as glare-free as possible.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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