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What Causes Ache At The Head-neck Joint?
I have had this headache for about two days, it s at the back of my head where my neck meets my head on the right side and a little behind my ear, when I turn my head to the right it hurts worse, kind of stiff, I have taken Advil, but it doesn t seem to help?
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 8 Aug 2018
Answered on
Sat, 7 Nov 2020
Last reviewed on
Hi,
This sounds a lot like what is called Sub-occipital Neuralgia, which is essentially a pinched nerve in the cervical spine. Whenever this happens the pain worsens intensely upon rotation of the neck and usually radiates pain across that side of the neck and to the ear region. Advil and other NSAIDS aren't really much help as this is truly a mechanical issue with the spine.
Hot water (showering) does help to relax the muscles and decrease the nerve pain but real improvement is seen with either chiropractic adjustment or even cervical neck traction performed by a physical therapist. As the muscles tense up this pinches the nerves with cause more pain with causes the muscles to tighten even further - its a vicious cycle and that is why this type of pain takes a while to lessen.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. David Girardi, Internal Medicine Specialist
This sounds a lot like what is called Sub-occipital Neuralgia, which is essentially a pinched nerve in the cervical spine. Whenever this happens the pain worsens intensely upon rotation of the neck and usually radiates pain across that side of the neck and to the ear region. Advil and other NSAIDS aren't really much help as this is truly a mechanical issue with the spine.
Hot water (showering) does help to relax the muscles and decrease the nerve pain but real improvement is seen with either chiropractic adjustment or even cervical neck traction performed by a physical therapist. As the muscles tense up this pinches the nerves with cause more pain with causes the muscles to tighten even further - its a vicious cycle and that is why this type of pain takes a while to lessen.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. David Girardi, Internal Medicine Specialist
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