Head & Neck Pain
Head and neck pain are often caused by an underlying illness or injury. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of head and neck pain that shouldn’t be ignored.
Concerning Symptoms of Head & Neck Pain
Neck pain may accompanied by:
Headache
Muscle tightness
Muscle spasms
Reduced range of motion when trying to move the head
Pain that worsens when holding the head in one position for long periods of time
It’s important to see a doctor if patients experience neck pain that:
Becomes severe
Radiates to the arms or legs
Persists for several days without relief
Is accompanied by headache, numbness, weakness, or tingling
Head pain, or headache, may feel like:
Migraine. Throbbing starts on one side of the head and may lead to nausea or sensitivity to sound and light.
Sinus headache. Steady pain from behind the face that worsens when bending forward.
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Tension headache. Dull, steady pain that feels like a band being tightened around the head.
Cluster headache. Persistent pain concentrated on one side of the head that feels like burning, piercing, or throbbing.
It’s important to seek medical help if the patient experiences:
A new type of headache that hasn’t been felt before
A high fever accompanied by nausea, severe pain, and a stiff neck
Drowsiness with dizziness, vertigo, nausea, or vomiting after sustaining a head injury
Recurring or painful headaches
Common Causes of Head & Neck Pain
Neck pain may be caused by:
Muscle strains. From overuse or bad habits, like reading in bed or hunching over a computer or smartphone.
Worn joints. When the cartilage between the vertebrae deteriorates and forms bone spurs.
Nerve compression. Caused by herniated discs or bone spurs.
Injury. From auto collisions leading to whiplash.
Illness. Such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or meningitis.
Head pain, or headaches, may be caused by:
Stress
Insufficient sleep
Food additives
Noise
Fatigue
Hunger
Caffeine withdrawal
Certain medications
Sudden cessation of medications
Smoke inhalation
Certain smells
Weather changes
Certain foods and drinks
Bright light
Changes in estrogen levels for women
Eye, neck, or back strain caused by poor posture
The following underlying medical condition may also cause head and neck pain:
Trauma
Tumor
Disease of blood vessels in the brain
High blood pressure
Infection
Head injury
Medication overuse
Sinus congestion
Treatment Options
Patients experiencing head and neck pain may be treated with joint and soft tissue injections, pain management therapy, and occupational medicine at Las Vegas Primary Care.
Joint and soft tissue injections may help alleviate head and neck pain. Injections offered at Las Vegas Primary Care include epidural injections, piriformis injections, sacroiliac joint injections, and trigger point injections.
Pain management therapy may include hot and cold therapy, massage, opioids, antidepressants, acupuncture, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, cognitive behavior therapy, yoga, tai chi, meditation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, and beta-blockers.
Head and neck pain caused by long-term injury and illness may interfere with daily life and impair a patient’s ability to perform job duties. In these cases, patients may need occupational medicine to help them adjust to the demands of the workplace.
Advanced Treatment
Some patients may need advanced treatment to address head and neck pain caused by underlying injuries or illness. Advanced treatment may include chiropractic adjustment, physical therapy, and even surgery. Patients are encouraged to speak to their physician at Las Vegas Primary Care to learn more about obtaining advanced treatment.
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