Pressure on Back of Neck Causes Headache and Can't Move Neck
Neck pain is one of the most common occurrences among US adults. It can lead to a stiff neck and excruciating pain. Often, neck pain induces headaches in the back of the head. In this blog post, we will discuss Neck Pain and Headaches In Back Of Head in depth.
Most of the time, this headache is confused with a normal headache or migraine.
It's not the same at all and the severity of neck pain can lead to headaches in the back of head.
According to a survey, nearly 30% of American adults have neck pain in a year, and more than 50% of adults have some form of neck pain in their lifetime. A variety of reasons can cause neck and head pain. In many situations, this pain can be brought by pain in other parts of the body or accompanied by other occurrences.
However, some of the most common reasons for neck pain and headaches are-
- Arthritis
- Poor Position
- Herniated Disks
- Occipital neuralgia
- Muscle Strain
- Nerve Compression
Arthritis
Arthritis is a type of condition where the joint becomes irritable and gets enlarged. The most common symptom of arthritis is stiffness in joints and muscles. Aside from these, there can be swellings, and the patient can't move their joints smoothly. Arthritis mainly happens because of old age, and over time the condition gets worse.
There are two common types of arthritis named Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis can be seen more regularly in patients. In this case, the cartilage of the joints gets torn, and because of that, the bones grind against each other.
On the other hand, in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the edges of the joint capsule get attacked by the body's immune system. The bone and cartilage get damaged in the process.
Inflammation and swelling in the neck region induce arthritis headaches. They are frequently associated with neck pain and headaches in the back of the head. Severe discomfort gets triggered if a patient moves.
Herniated Disks
A herniated disc refers to the type of condition where the cushion between your bones, also known as vertebrae, gets deteriorated. It can happen in any part of your spine. If someone has herniated discs, then he/she will feel severe back pain, neck pain, and headache because of it.
Herniated disks can pinch a nerve which leads to chronic pain. Often, people with this condition do not show any symptoms. But some of the major symptoms are:
- Pain in arm or leg
- Numbness
- Tingling Sensation
- Weakness
You'll feel pain in the neck and headaches in the back of the head if herniated disks develop in the neck. You will also feel pain in your shoulder and arms. The joints become weakened, and a tingling sensation can be felt in the body.
If you feel any above-mentioned symptoms, consult with a doctor quickly as herniated discs can be diagnosed only after checking properly.
Occipital Neuralgia
Injury or any damage in the occipital nerve leads to occipital neuralgia. Injuries in the nerve area can damage the nerve and lead to this condition. Also, muscular problems such as stiff muscle can result in occipital neuralgia. It is a very specific type of headache.
Occipital neuralgia is different from other types of headaches. Severe upper neck pain and headaches happen because of occipital neuralgia. Throbbing pain can be felt in the scalp, where occipital nerves come together.
The diagnosis of occipital neuralgia is difficult as it can often be confused with other types of headaches like migraine or cluster headache. The doctor diagnoses this headache pressing the occipital nerves and sees if there is any pain.
The pain of the occipital neuralgia is intense, but the patient can get some comfort by taking medicine or home remedies. Taking physical therapy or pain management treatment can help. Also, a head massage or warm compressement in the neck can be taken for getting some temporary comfort. These solutions will help the patient to deal with the pain.
Muscle Strain
When a muscle gets overextended and ripped, then it leads to muscle strain. Fatigue, injury, or sudden imbalance can cause muscle strain. Muscle strain can occur in any part of the human body. But most specifically, it can happen in the neck and lower back area.
Intense pain can be felt if a muscle gets strained.
Some of the main causes of a muscle strain are –
- Lack of flexibility
- Not warming up before physical activities
- Poor muscle joint
- Injury
If the muscle strain is not acute, then it can be healed after taking first aid or medications. However, if the pain does go away even after one week, then the patient needs to go to the doctor. The doctor will diagnose it and see if any muscle got teared up in the process.
The doctor can evaluate the degree of the injuries after taking a physical examination and imaging procedures like X-rays and MRI scans. Anti-inflammatory medicines and pain relievers may be used to alleviate discomfort and swelling.
Treatment for Neck Pain and Headaches In Back of Head
If you are suffering from severe neck pain and headaches because of it, then know that you are not alone, and there are treatments available to relieve you from the pain. The best thing about these treatments is you do not need to go under the knife to be healed. Some of the suggested non-surgical treatments are:
- Pain Management
- Laser Therapy
- Chiropractic Care
- Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Pain Management
Pain management is a section where different types of techniques are used to eliminate or minimize pain. This branch of medicine can be implemented in a wide range of acute conditions such as back pain, neck pain, neuropathic pain, spinal cord problems, etc.
The doctor will advise you to take pain management treatment to reduce your pain. If you are suffering from chronic pain, then pain management can be the best treatment for you because pain management aims to decrease pain by applying all possible solutions.
Chronic illness patients have to take constant medication to relieve the pain. So, people with acute neck pain and headaches can take pain management.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is one type of medical procedure where a concentrated light with a certain wavelength is used for the treatment. Then the light can be concentrated into a strong beam which can cut into strong steel or metal.
Laser therapy in medicine lets surgeons work with accuracy by focusing on a spacing area, and the surrounding tissues are not affected by it. Laser therapy can be used to –
- Treat acute pain such as back or neck pain
- Seal the nerve endings
- Cut through the herniated discs
Laser therapy is different from other types of conventional surgeries. It can be done in only 30-45 minutes, and there are not any scars or swallowing after the therapy.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic therapy is a type of non-surgical treatment option where neck pain and other associated problems are treated. Chiropractors believe that our spine has its own capability to heal itself. Chiropractors treat a variety of neck pain problems: some of them are listed below:
- Injuries to the cervical intervertebral disc that do not necessitate surgery
- Sprains of the cervical spine
- Neck degenerative joint syndrome is a condition in which the joints of the neck degenerate (such as facet joints)
- Sprained facet joint
Chiropractors have a wide spectrum of techniques to heal neck pain.
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a type of treatment where motorized traction is implemented upon the place of the pain to alleviate the pain. Spinal decompression works by stretching the spine. If this non-surgical decompression is done on someone, then the pressure will be put off, which is caused by a herniated disc or bulging disc.
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a great treatment for those who are suffering from chronic illness. If you are suffering from severe neck pain and headaches in the back of the head, then you can take this treatment if you do not want any surgery.
Cost of the Treatments
The cost of treatment methods varies depending on the type and level of service requested.
The treatment center's quality also determines the cost.
| TREATMENT | COST |
| Pain Management | $150 – $250 |
| Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy | $1500 – $2000 |
| Laser Therapy | $50 – $150 (per session) |
| Chiropractic Care | $65 – $105 (per session) |
Where Can I Get Treatment for Neck Pain and Headaches In Back of Head?
There are many prominent treatments available for neck pain in the US nowadays.
These treatment options can be found in many clinics, hospitals, or facilities.
One of the best treatment for neck pain and headaches in the back of the head can be found in Connecticut Disc and Laser Therapy Centers, which is located in Connecticut.
They have sophisticated, cutting-edge technology in their facility, and they treat patients who have failed to respond to conventional therapy methods.
What They Provide
Connecticut Disc and Laser Therapy Centers are one of the famous treatment centers located in Shelton, Connecticut. They are known for their non-invasive unconventional treatment methods for back and neck pain. When the traditional treatment methods fail, patients try out the varieties of treatment options here.
The specialty of their treatment system is they go to the root of the problems and try to give the best treatment without doing any surgeries. They have the best group of doctors and staff in their facility. The doctor will diagnose you properly and walk you through their wide spectrum of treatment options.
Dr. James J. Dalfino, one of the doctors of Connecticut Disc and Laser Therapy Centers, stated that patients should try out the treatment options here. Even if the treatments failed to heal the patients before, they have new cutting-edge technologies and the best experts who will apply all kinds of treatments to help the patient. You can take a free consultation from them to know about their treatment system.
Location
Shelton Medical Center, 9 Cots Street | Suite 2c, Shelton, CT 06484
Final Thoughts
Intense neck pain and headaches in the back of the head can be a massive roadblock in your daily life. The non-invasive treatments can help to mitigate the pain and give you a better life.
Delaying the proper treatment can make your problem even worse.
So contact with with a professional to figure out a proper solution. Connecticut Disc and Laser Therapy Centers have a free consultation program on their website and you can try it out.
Pressure on Back of Neck Causes Headache and Can't Move Neck
Source: https://ctdisccenters.com/neck-pain-and-headaches-in-back-of-head/