It’s aggravating to experience pain in the base of your neck when trying to do your daily tasks and activities.
Even when you’re trying to get some rest, you still have that sharp pain bugging you!
It can be frustrating when your painful neck pain doesn’t seem to want to go away and you may wonder to yourself, is it something I’m eating? Am I stressed? Did I do something to my neck?
In this blog, you’ll learn why you may be experiencing pain at the base of the neck, why this pain may be occurring, and how you can relieve this annoying neck pain.
Symptoms Of Neck Pain At The Base Of The Neck
This type of neck pain can be limited to where your neck meets the base of your head and around your eyes, or can be more widespread. With pain in the base of your neck, and down into your shoulders and upper back, around your trapezius muscles.
Some people experience neck pain that is throbbing and sharp which strikes right where your head meets the back of your neck.
And it can go on for WEEKS!
Another common symptom that often coincides with pain in the neck base is a sensitivity to light which can make it difficult to get through your daily life – when you’re in a brightly light store, or when the sun is shining.
Struggling with neck pain at night? Read this blog to get tips for neck pain relief
Why Do I Have Pain At The Base of My Neck?
This type of neck pain can be caused by your muscles tightening around the base of your neck, which leads to pressure on the nerves.
As a result, your nerves are triggered and send you those pain receptors.
Some of the most common reasons for tight neck muscles which lead to pinched nerves are…
Eye Strain
If you are constantly straining your eyes to read, look at small writing, or driving, you’re placing a lot of stress on the eyes, and the muscles surrounding the eyes.
This is a common cause of not only neck pain, but also annoying headaches.
Try to catch yourself straining your eyes, and if you notice it’s more often than you thought, it may be a good time to get your eyes checked or get new glasses.
Also, remember to take time away from technology every so often to give your eyes a rest.
I know it’s hard to tear yourself away from your favorite TV shows, but your eyes will thank you for it!
If you do use screens a lot, blue light glasses may even help as well. They help to prevent damage to your eyes when using technology, and this can help prevent headaches.
Stress
You may be stressed over your job, a big event coming up, or household chores, and it can be hard to make time for yourself when you feel like you have a never-ending to do list.
But if you’re getting regular neck pain, especially in the base of your neck as well as headaches, you might need to prioritize yourself more.
Make time for yourself to relax and do the sports or hobbies that you love, which you’ve not prioritized lately.
Posture
Another common cause of pinched nerves in the neck is slouching.
I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but it does have an impact. Especially if you spend a lot of your day at a desk, or sitting.
Try to position yourself so you’re sitting straight in your chair and place your arm on the armchair to help keep you upright while keeping your feet on the ground at a 90-degree angle.
Another really simple, but effective tip is to remember to take breaks and move around frequently.
This keeps your joints and muscles mobile and active, and you are much less likely to experience pain in the base of your neck.
Occipital Neuralgia
The final common cause of neck pain is Occipital neuralgia, which is when you suffer a pinched nerve related to emotional or physical stress.
You’ll notice a sharp pain, and possibly the strange sensation of your scalp becoming very sensitive.
Often these types of headaches get compared to tension headaches.
A tension headache usually lasts for a month or more compared to an occipital headache which usually lasts for up to a week.
How Do I Get Relief From My Neck Pain At The Base Of My Skull?
You don’t need to rely on pills to mask the pain or spend your life avoiding what you love through fear of setting off your neck pain. Here are 5 proven ways to relieve pain at the base of your neck naturally…
Apply Ice And Heat For Natural Pain Relief:
Apply ice can help inflammation if there is any in the neck, and heat may be the better option as it helps to loosen the muscles and increase blood flow.
Always use a barrier between your skin to protect it from the heat or cold, and use it for up to 20 minutes at a time.
Chin Tucks – A Powerful Exercise For Pain At The Base Of Your Neck:
A good exercise for relieving a stiff, painful neck is chin tucks.
This exercise will help stretch the neck muscles that have become tight, and strengthen the muscles.
You can complete this exercise standing against a wall or sitting straight up in a chair, and you don’t need any equipment.
To follow along with this neck pain exercise, watch the video by clicking the link below
Chin Tuck – Powerful Neck Pain Exercise
Neck Massage:
A massage can be a very effective way to relieve tension in your neck muscles, and it can also be a very enjoyable time to treat yourself.
If you have tension due to stress, the massage can work in two ways – by physically easing the tight neck muscles, but also helping you relax and unwind.
Get An Eye Examination:
If you’re getting headaches and regular neck pain, it may be time for a check-up.
A headache can be a sign that you are straining your eyes too much, and an examination can tell you whether your eyes need a little extra help.
Or you may need new glasses with a stronger prescription if you already wear them.
Physical Therapy For Long Term, Natural Neck Pain Relief:
There is a growing number of people recognizing how important physical therapy can be, and our clinic is very busy with patients who are just like you – dealing with pain in the base of their neck, regular headaches, and tension in their upper back and shoulders.
Preferred Physical Therapy is Glendale and Peoria’s leading clinic and can help you to get to the root cause of your pain.
This means that through our personalized treatment plans, and 1-1 sessions, you can fast, natural, and long term relief from headaches, shoulder problems, and neck pain.
Speak To A Leading Physical Therapist In Glendale, Arizona For Free
Often our team can help you understand why your neck pain keeps coming back, and offer personalized advice on a quick phone call.
So if you’re unsure what to do, and you want to speak to someone who knows how to make neck pain a thing of the past, why not arrange a Free Telephone Consultation?
Arrange Your Free Telephone Consultation Now
Download Our Free Special Report And Stop Your Neck Pain And Headaches
If you aren’t ready to speak to us yet, you can discover 7 strategies that have worked with thousands of past patients who felt like they’d tried it all, and nothing would work for them.
It’s completely free, and you can get a copy directly to your email inbox immediately after you fill in the simple form.
Download Your Copy Of The Neck Pain And Headaches Report
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Dr, Nick’s greatest passion is seeing his patients recover from injury and return to their activities that bring them joy.
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August 26, 2019
