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Back of neck and upper back are ice cold; headaches and stiff neck

For the past few years, I have had a greater frequency of tension type headaches.  Advil usually worked very well.  However, there were times that only a mucsle relaxant would work.  One of the things I have noticed is thatthe back of my neck and my upper back get very cold in relation to the rest of my body.  Even when it is sunny outside ( I live in South Florida), the same condition arises.  My neck becomes very stiff and the muscles become very tight.  Could this be the cause of my headaches?  If so, what would cause this condtion?  Other than heat packs, showers etc, what else can I do to correct the problem.

Leland
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Avatar universal
I also get severe migraines where the back of my neck is cold and the top of my back. I get them when I eat chocalte and sometimes for no reason at all. I know your post is old but have u found anything out? This can't be a coincidence that we both have the same symptoms. I my neck gets ice cold.
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Avatar universal
A related discussion, what is wrong with me was started.
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Avatar universal
i m 26 years old , i m suffering from several symptoms .my left side of had is suffering from slight pain , stiffnes in left side of neck , light weakness in my left leg with buttock, left side of lower back ach with weakness means  my whole left side feels  slight weakness. i also have rare ventriculer ectopic beats . abdominal aorta pulasation.
  i did ecg , ett, tee , echocardiography, tsh t3 t4,  they all are negative .
plz assest me in this regard
  with great thanx
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Avatar universal
Muscle spasms in the neck can certainly be a trigger for your tension headaches.  I wonder if you have a pinched nerve in your upper cervical spine due to degenerative disc/arthritic disease causing your symptoms, which are known to cause similar symptoms. If your doctor suspects this as well based on your full history and exam, an MRI of the C spine may be helpful.  As for treatment options, botox injections to relax the muscles in the neck have helped some patients.  Although it's not a permanent cure, it usually works for a few months at a time. Local injections with steroids or anesthetics like lidocaine are other options, but should only be done a pain specialist.  SOme physical therapists do ultrasound massage with application of local heat (as you are doing) which have relieved some patients' symptoms.  Good luck.
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