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What Causes Cramps Behind The Head Where The Vertebrae Meets The Skull?

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Posted on Sat, 7 May 2016
Question: I do not suffer from headaches other than occasional sinus type. Sometimes; maybe every few months, I will turn my head and get an excruciating " cramp or muscle spasm" type of pain. It is almost always on the right side, toward the back of the head above where the vertebrae meet the skull. When it happens, it is most like a bad cramp but beyond the worst cramps I have ever had. It usually hurts bad for 30-60 seconds the quickly goes away. I have literally been knocked off my feet from the worst. I broke my lower spine in three places in 1974, three surgeries five years later, and now have Arachnoiditis. I have experienced these years before any of this occurred, so not related. I'm not concerned, just curious as I had one yesterday. Never really talked with Dr , so seldom occurres.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Can be due to neck muscle spasm.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The sudden turning of head may cause a sudden neck muscle spasm associated with dizziness, nausea and even sometimes ringing in the ears. This can happen due to stiff neck muscles, improper posture, decreased fluid intake. Isometric neck exercises will help in increasing the flexibility of these muscles and will thus prevent such recurrences. Doing a hot compress in the area will also help.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 12314 Questions

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What Causes Cramps Behind The Head Where The Vertebrae Meets The Skull?

Brief Answer: Can be due to neck muscle spasm. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. The sudden turning of head may cause a sudden neck muscle spasm associated with dizziness, nausea and even sometimes ringing in the ears. This can happen due to stiff neck muscles, improper posture, decreased fluid intake. Isometric neck exercises will help in increasing the flexibility of these muscles and will thus prevent such recurrences. Doing a hot compress in the area will also help. I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Praveen Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal