Chronic headache with back/neck pain
 

Hello all, Thanks for reading my thread. I have had headaches for going on about 6 months that all seem to be related to neck and back pain. Most concerning is that I also have tingling in my ear and cheek on the right side on occasion (sometimes, but rarely both sides), and I also have burning from time to time in the back of my head, on my neck, and between my shoulder blades. Additionally, I also have numbness in my pinkie and ring fingers on my left hand sometimes.

I have seemingly always had some kind of muscle pain in my trap muscles which over the last six months had increased in intensity and has spread to include my neck and the back of my head - also the area above my eyes from time to time. I do a lot of standing and working at a desk as I am a teacher.

I went to a Chiropractor who set me up with xrays which revealed that I have little curve in my neck and some arthritis in C1/C2. I discontinued the chiropractor service after about a month because it just didn't seem that what was being done was helping. This was a mutual decision by me and the Chiro.

I have an appointment with a Neurologist in about a week and can't wait to see him to get some idea of what's happening with me. Then again, I am also really nervous because of all of the other stuff that is symptomatic of what's going on with me. I guess what I'm looking for are similar stories that you could share from similar experiences or feedback on my symptoms.

Thanks a lot!

Some of the things you mention make me think of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS for short).
what kind of work or hobbies do you do?

Desk job/repetitive motions?
forward head/arms/shoulder postures?
any whiplash or car accidents/sports with head or upper body impacts?

useful sticky thread for TOS info and other RSI injuries -
might be good to read before neuro appt
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html


OH -Just noticed this-
[[I do a lot of standing and working at a desk as I am a teacher. ]]

Thanks for the reply.

I worked a desk job for about 8 years then changed careers. That's really when the trap pain began. I have been a teacher for about 2 years now and so I spend a lot of time on my feet and at my desk. I am 34 years old, by the way. I do have poor posture, admittedly. The tingling in my ear often happens when I am sitting hunched over at my desk. That reminds me to sit up!

I did have a fender bender about 10 years ago which ultimately led to me having to have a spinal anti-inflammatory shot because of the burning in my shins that I developed after the wreck.



[QUOTE=Jo*mar;750934]Some of the things you mention make me think of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS for short).
what kind of work or hobbies do you do?

Desk job/repetitive motions?
forward head/arms/shoulder postures?
any whiplash or car accidents/sports with head or upper body impacts?

useful sticky thread for TOS info and other RSI injuries -
might be good to read before neuro appt

Ahh
Here's the link to the main TOS forum, read some of the other threads there to see if more of the symptoms sound familiar to you.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

Hi TresHombres, :welcome_sign:

This could mean a lot. I had a lot of the same kinds of symptoms, and still do, but different and I've seen some improvement. Somewhere along the line, some doctor will probably recommend physical therapy. Do it. It'll be slow, like the chiropractor, but that's the way PT goes sometimes. Gotta work on that posture and fix it as much as it can be fixed. The one exercise that helped me the most was the seated chin-tuck (google: chin tuck exercise), along with some cervical traction (we bought a home unit that hangs over a door). It took several weeks, but my headaches, burning, and neck pain improved.

Do whatever other exercises/treatments the PT recommends as well. A good one will be trained & experienced in analyzing your posture problems & pain, and be able to put together the most effective regimen for you.

Good luck & best wishes,

Doc

Something else
 

I've also had some mild eyelid twitching going on. This is not anything new - I do have allergies and I think everyone deals with this from time to time - but it does make me wonder if I have something pressing on the nerves that supply the eyelids and underneath since I have had tingling in my cheeks and ears. Probably my hypochondria showing itself. Thoughts?

Google: eyelid twitch :rolleyes:

Doc

Get a second opinion
 

I agree with Dr. Smith. Posture is very important: sitting in a car, at your desk, making papers and at the computer. Some of your symptoms are concerning. You should get a second opinion. I have changed the way I teach ( 25 years). I use a music stand for the TE so I don't look down. I try and kneel down next to the kids so I am not looking down from above. When marking papers use a clip board and hold it eye level if you can.



**************************************** ********** **
12/9/2010 ACDF C5-6 C6-7 with plate, screws,
BMP & bone fragment filled cages
2/14/2011 trying to go back to work as a teacher
2/17/2011 starting PT
wearing bone stimulator 4 hours a day
DDD, arthritis, herniated disks, pinched nerves
3 months saw a little bit of bone growth (YEAH)
4/15/2011 Home Tens Unit