Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
The diagram wouldnt copy and paste but it shows several areas on the back of the neck and right below the base of the skull. I have these symptoms at times.
MUSCLE CONTRACTION-
NEAR DAILY HEADACHE
CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE
Edward Lichten, M.D.,PC
180 East Brown Street
Birmingham, MI 48009
248.593.9999
Reference Article:
A Dentist's View on Muscle Headaches
by Christopher R. Brown, D.D.S
Reproduced with permission: National Headache Foundation. Fall 1994, number 90, page 2. Author: Christopher R. Brown, D.D.S. Greensburg, Indiana.
The headache almost never stops. It seems even the hairs on your head ache. Sometimes your eyes become so sensitive to light during these painful episodes that you have to wear sunglasses just to get by. The areas of the headache vary but several areas that consistently hurt are the back of the skull or head, and the neck. Various mediations help a little for a while, but it seems the best way to reduce the pain is to have someone rub the back of your head and neck.
Does this sound familiar? If so, then perhaps you should ask your doctor about occipital neuralgia.
Occipital neuralgia is a term used to describe a cycle of pain-spasm-pain originating from the suboccipital area (base) of the skull that often radiates to the back front and side of the head, as behind the eyes.
SYMPTOMS
Headache that is localized or following a "ram's horn" pattern on the side of the head, often starting in the upper neck or base of the skull. It can be one-sided or on both sides.
Scalp that is tender to the touch, often hypersensitive. Even brushing your hair can be a painful experience.
Pain at the base of the skull. Pressure on that area can either bring headache relief or increase the pressure or pain.
Reduced ability to rotate or flex the neck.
Shoulder pain.
Pain or pressure behind the eyes. Eyes are very sensitive to light, especially when the headache is present.
The occipital nerves are two pairs of nerves (the lesser and greater occipital nerves) that originate in the area of the second and third vertebrae of the neck. While most people's nerve roots originate in similar places on the spine, cadaver studies show a wide variety of differences between individuals as to the course of the nerves once they leave the spinal column. Often the nerves follow a curving course that passes through various muscles in the upperback, neck and head. These nerves supply areas of the skin along the base of the skull and partially behind the ear. While the occipital nerves to do not directly connect with structures within the skull and form a continuous neural network that can affect any given area through which any of the main nerves or their branch fibers pass.
Occipital neuralgia occurs more often in women than men. I t can have many causes. These causes include:
Trauma (a direct blow or "whiplash" type of injury)
Spinal column compression
Nerve lesions
Localized infections or inflammation
Gout
Diabetes
Blood vessel inflammation
HEAD FORWARD POSITION (Added by Edward Lichten, MD)
Commonly, the nerves are inflamed and sensitive because they are trapped within the muscles through which they pass. Muscle spasm and pain are often associated with nerve entrapment, which causes localized pain, spasms and muscle cramping.
Treatment of occipital neuralgia may involve oral medications that are designed to reduce inflammation and spasms [Ketoprofen and flexeril: EML suggests], localized therapeutic injections [trigger point injections], physical therapy, ice massage head, exercise or, on rare occasions, surgery.
Many medical conditions can show symptoms similar to those found with occipital neuralgia. The most important aspect of any treatment is to first have an accurate diagnosis. It is also important to communicate your medical history to the health care professional who is treating you so that the correct diagnosis and care can be given for your special needs.
MUSCLE CONTRACTION-
NEAR DAILY HEADACHE
CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE
Edward Lichten, M.D.,PC
180 East Brown Street
Birmingham, MI 48009
248.593.9999
Reference Article:
A Dentist's View on Muscle Headaches
by Christopher R. Brown, D.D.S
Reproduced with permission: National Headache Foundation. Fall 1994, number 90, page 2. Author: Christopher R. Brown, D.D.S. Greensburg, Indiana.
The headache almost never stops. It seems even the hairs on your head ache. Sometimes your eyes become so sensitive to light during these painful episodes that you have to wear sunglasses just to get by. The areas of the headache vary but several areas that consistently hurt are the back of the skull or head, and the neck. Various mediations help a little for a while, but it seems the best way to reduce the pain is to have someone rub the back of your head and neck.
Does this sound familiar? If so, then perhaps you should ask your doctor about occipital neuralgia.
Occipital neuralgia is a term used to describe a cycle of pain-spasm-pain originating from the suboccipital area (base) of the skull that often radiates to the back front and side of the head, as behind the eyes.
SYMPTOMS
Headache that is localized or following a "ram's horn" pattern on the side of the head, often starting in the upper neck or base of the skull. It can be one-sided or on both sides.
Scalp that is tender to the touch, often hypersensitive. Even brushing your hair can be a painful experience.
Pain at the base of the skull. Pressure on that area can either bring headache relief or increase the pressure or pain.
Reduced ability to rotate or flex the neck.
Shoulder pain.
Pain or pressure behind the eyes. Eyes are very sensitive to light, especially when the headache is present.
The occipital nerves are two pairs of nerves (the lesser and greater occipital nerves) that originate in the area of the second and third vertebrae of the neck. While most people's nerve roots originate in similar places on the spine, cadaver studies show a wide variety of differences between individuals as to the course of the nerves once they leave the spinal column. Often the nerves follow a curving course that passes through various muscles in the upperback, neck and head. These nerves supply areas of the skin along the base of the skull and partially behind the ear. While the occipital nerves to do not directly connect with structures within the skull and form a continuous neural network that can affect any given area through which any of the main nerves or their branch fibers pass.
Occipital neuralgia occurs more often in women than men. I t can have many causes. These causes include:
Trauma (a direct blow or "whiplash" type of injury)
Spinal column compression
Nerve lesions
Localized infections or inflammation
Gout
Diabetes
Blood vessel inflammation
HEAD FORWARD POSITION (Added by Edward Lichten, MD)
Commonly, the nerves are inflamed and sensitive because they are trapped within the muscles through which they pass. Muscle spasm and pain are often associated with nerve entrapment, which causes localized pain, spasms and muscle cramping.
Treatment of occipital neuralgia may involve oral medications that are designed to reduce inflammation and spasms [Ketoprofen and flexeril: EML suggests], localized therapeutic injections [trigger point injections], physical therapy, ice massage head, exercise or, on rare occasions, surgery.
Many medical conditions can show symptoms similar to those found with occipital neuralgia. The most important aspect of any treatment is to first have an accurate diagnosis. It is also important to communicate your medical history to the health care professional who is treating you so that the correct diagnosis and care can be given for your special needs.
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My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
I did my scarf exercise a few times. Can you please repost the neck exercise for me and others? thanks.
I've found massaging my head really helps. My head actually gets bumpy. Massaging with my fingertips smoothes out the bumps and helps the stingyness and headache go away. (This was suggested by my old, voice teacher.)
I also find relief from inversion. At the suggestion of my chiropractor, I picked up a simple inversion table for less than $100. I think it helps a lot by putting some space between my vertebrae. I got it for my lower back but the improvement in my neck is exhilarating. (Actually, any lessening of pain is a thrill. How pathetic is that?)
Again, thanks.
I also have to wear the reaction lenses in my glasses as I cant stand daylight most days. Thank you so much DDntn this is something I had just marked up to fibro and have been trying to ignore it!
You do this on the count of 20 for each position and repeat.
Really stretch that head and neck.
1. Push chin down into chest, holding head down
2. Turn head to the left
3. lean head back
4/ turn head to the right
5, keep head straight up and bring chin into throat, make sure you keep your head straight up Scrunging up your chin and muscles under there.
It will strengthen that muscle plus it relieves my pain when I do that. ALso will strengthen the thoaric region of the back.
Hope it helps everyone
What I've noticed is that I tend to have mine for a few months...then it tappers off for some reason or another. And it's starting to return again. Oh Joy!
But it gets so bad that I actually see stars when I turn my head too far to one side or the other on occasion. (i.e. when I look back into my blind spot while driving to change lanes or such)
DD hun, if you could post the exercises, I'd appreciate it!
I have hypermobile joints and also had a whiplash injury playing volleyball.
Thanks for posting this.... it's always comforting to read a validation for how you feel, especially with something that often people suffer daily with, because it often goes on for so long, you start to question yourself...