Pain in the back of the right side when sneezing

Events: 31-year-old woman with pain in the back of the head (right side) lasting one and a half months. The pain is localized to the back of the head in the upper attachment of the neck - and is especially aggravated by sneezing. Long-term history with muscle problems in the neck, shoulder and back.

Also read: - Read This If You Have Back Pain

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Age / Gender: 31 year old woman

Current - your pain situation (supplementary about your problem, your everyday situation, disabilities and where you hurt): Get over a post from you regarding back pain. For a month and a half now, I have had pain in the back of my head on the right side. Looked at a picture in the mentioned article and I think I get pain in «Oblicuus capitus Superior». The pain comes every time I sneeze, sometimes when I yawn and with certain movements. I have not yet found out what movements provoke these pains and whether it comes from the neck or back because they occur so suddenly and so painful.

Topical - pain location (where is the pain): Right side of the upper neck / back of the head

Topical - pain character (how would you describe the pain): Intense pain

How do you stay active / in training: I've been idle for a long time and spent a lot of time on the couch. I work only 21% and try to get some exercise / exercise via walks.

Previous imaging diagnostics (X-ray, MRI, CT and / or diagnostic ultrasound) - if so, where / what / when / result: A manual therapist sent me after some treatments on MRI a year ago due to constant dizziness which is not even better, but the pictures showed nothing. Have also been referred by the GP to MRI of the head due to dizziness, but even then they did not find anything. I occasionally go to the chiropractor to break my back. A couple of years ago I was with a substitute chiropractor who broke my neck. After that, my neck has not been good. I hear clearly and distinctly sounds in my neck when I turn my head.

Previous injuries / trauma / accidents - if so, where / what / when: I've had kink in the back sometimes. Last year.

Previous surgery / surgery - if yes, where / what / when: No.

Previous investigations / blood tests - if yes, where / what / when / result: No.

Previous treatment - if so, what kind of treatment methods and results: Both muscle therapy and chiropractor have not made much difference except then and there. Is on a waiting list with a physical therapist.

Others: Begins to despair due to prolonged troubles without much improvement.

SVAR

Hello and thank you for your inquiry.

With long-term ailments, it is easy for the thoughts to start spinning and then it is good to hear that you have had serious pathology excluded via MRI examination of the neck and head. The truth is that the most common cause of pain in the back of the head - in the way you mention - is impaired muscle and joint function.

You mention the muscles of it suboccipital muscle as suspects - and yes, they are probably definitely part of your problem, but it's probably a bigger problem than that in terms of your muscle and joint health. Muscles and joints depend on regular movement to stay healthy and functional - in static positions (read: sofa and the like) certain muscles are exposed to high loads without relief from other muscle groups. Prolonged inactivity will also lead to the muscles becoming weaker and the muscle fibers becoming tighter, as well as possibly also more sensitive to pain. This will also lead to the joints in the area becoming stiffer and the neck movement being reduced - which in turn means that you move the neck less and consistently have less circulation to muscles and less movement in the joints.

Muscles and joints only work together - so a modern chiropractor or manual therapist would treat this problem holistically with muscular work, joint treatment and exercise. So if it is the case that you have not received any exercises or training program for your problem - something that should have been done already during the first or second consultation - then this is reprehensible by the therapist.

Walking will not have a major effect on such a muscular imbalance - and long-term, specific training will be the solution to your problem. By training purposefully against the rotator cuff (shoulder blade stabilizers), neck and back, you can relieve the upper part of the neck and avoid myalgias and muscle pain in the suboccipitalis. In other words, this can cause less pain in the back of the head. So you need to increase the movement in everyday life and gradual progression in relation to exercise. Exercises with training elastic for the shoulders are both gentle and effective - and can be a favorite place to start. Consult your clinician regarding which exercises may be best for you.

It may also sound like you have both neck-related dizziness and headaches. The two most common forms of headaches that can cause back pain are tension headache og cervicogenic headache (neck-related headache) - and with your description, I would not be surprised if you have what we call a combination headache consisting of several different headache diagnoses.

Wishing you good recovery and good luck for the future.