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What Causes Intermittent Throbbing Pain In Neck?
Question: I am experiencing intermittent Stabbing or throbbing pains in the left side of my neck. It does not feel like a strained muscle.
Brief Answer:
sounds like muscular or neural injury
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
although it doesn't feel like a strained muscle to you, it could be! Or it could be nerve injury. The kind of pain you describe particularly without other symptoms like fainting, palpitations, etc is most commonly caused by nerve injury.
Nerve injuries could be attributed (for example) to cold air freezing the area of the neck. The nerves are very sensitive to cold and may cause severe pain that may limit the mobility of the neck for 1-2 weeks. Sometimes the pain is accompanied by sensitivity of the skin on the affected area.
Muscle strains are very common as well. They can be the result of an awkward movement of the neck (for example when reaching out to grab something that's hard to reach and the muscles of the neck are tense). It usually lasts for less than the nerve injury. Sleeping in an uncomfortable position during a long flight could cause it!
In both cases the pain is usually located on the back of the neck and may spread to the upper back (laterally).
Simple analgesics like paracetamol and perhaps a muscle relaxant after consulting your doctor first, may help.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
sounds like muscular or neural injury
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
although it doesn't feel like a strained muscle to you, it could be! Or it could be nerve injury. The kind of pain you describe particularly without other symptoms like fainting, palpitations, etc is most commonly caused by nerve injury.
Nerve injuries could be attributed (for example) to cold air freezing the area of the neck. The nerves are very sensitive to cold and may cause severe pain that may limit the mobility of the neck for 1-2 weeks. Sometimes the pain is accompanied by sensitivity of the skin on the affected area.
Muscle strains are very common as well. They can be the result of an awkward movement of the neck (for example when reaching out to grab something that's hard to reach and the muscles of the neck are tense). It usually lasts for less than the nerve injury. Sleeping in an uncomfortable position during a long flight could cause it!
In both cases the pain is usually located on the back of the neck and may spread to the upper back (laterally).
Simple analgesics like paracetamol and perhaps a muscle relaxant after consulting your doctor first, may help.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Pain is on side of neck, occurs laying down without movement of any kind. Does not go down back. The intermittent stabs of pain are concentrated between collar bone and below left ear.
Pain is not in back or should. Pain is on side of neck, occurs laying down without any movement. It does not go down to shoulder or back. The intermittent stabs of pain are sharp and are concentrated cent wen collarbone and below ear. NO pain ear or around ear. Could it this be a stroke symptom, caroitid artery?
Pain is not in back or should. Pain is on side of neck, occurs laying down without any movement. It does not go down to shoulder or back. The intermittent stabs of pain are sharp and are concentrated cent wen collarbone and below ear. NO pain ear or around ear. Could it this be a stroke symptom, caroitid artery?
Brief Answer:
stroke is unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
A stroke would be highly unlikely with your symptoms. If pain is the sole symptom (without other symptoms like lack of coordination, loss of urine, etc) then the symptoms are most likely of neural origin.
Clinical examination data are of outmost importance. I've mentioned some causes which are fairly common but there are more of course. Clinical examination and perhaps radiological assessment would probably clarify this issue.
Kind regards!
stroke is unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
A stroke would be highly unlikely with your symptoms. If pain is the sole symptom (without other symptoms like lack of coordination, loss of urine, etc) then the symptoms are most likely of neural origin.
Clinical examination data are of outmost importance. I've mentioned some causes which are fairly common but there are more of course. Clinical examination and perhaps radiological assessment would probably clarify this issue.
Kind regards!
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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