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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pulsating Pain At The Side Of Neck?

My 66 year old husband has a sudden pulsating ache in the back left side of his neck leading upwards slightly, to the skull. if he moves his head too fast it s a shooting pain that stops him dead in his tracks. This morning, lifting his head from the pillow was a long & painful process. He claims it began after reversing in the car a few days ago. He looked over his shoulder to make sure it was clear before backing up.
Thu, 28 May 2020
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Pain at the back of the neck due to looking over the shoulders for backing up the car is commonly due to muscle strain or tightness in the muscle strain. Pinched nerve can be a cause. For relieve you can take NSAIDS, Combiflam or Naproxen, one SOS when pain after food. You can take the help of a physiotherapist to do the neck exercises that helps to fix the problem. Cold or warm compress may help.

However, at the base of the neck are suboccipital muscles, when strained may give shooting pain radiating upwards. The tightness of these muscles may cause inflammation of the occipital nerve giving rise to occipital neuralgia. To stay on the safer side get clinically examined by a GP, get blood tests and MRI done, get treated at the earliest.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician
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What Causes Pulsating Pain At The Side Of Neck?

Hello, Pain at the back of the neck due to looking over the shoulders for backing up the car is commonly due to muscle strain or tightness in the muscle strain. Pinched nerve can be a cause. For relieve you can take NSAIDS, Combiflam or Naproxen, one SOS when pain after food. You can take the help of a physiotherapist to do the neck exercises that helps to fix the problem. Cold or warm compress may help. However, at the base of the neck are suboccipital muscles, when strained may give shooting pain radiating upwards. The tightness of these muscles may cause inflammation of the occipital nerve giving rise to occipital neuralgia. To stay on the safer side get clinically examined by a GP, get blood tests and MRI done, get treated at the earliest. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Nupur K., General & Family Physician