Pain in neck/upper spine when tilting head backwards

[Ryan_11]

I've had this problem for quite a while now. I'm a 26 year old male. I have a desk job but never suffer from any pain while at the desk or afterwards. The cause may be from weight training that I started 8 months ago, although I never felt any pain in any of the gym sessions or had a sore neck or upper back afterwards.

I only noticed the problem when I was flossing my teeth before bed one night and tilted my head back to get a better angle. When it was almost all the way back (as far as it would go normally) I noticed a pain/hard ache in the back of my neck/upper spine. Around where the crease develops between the head and upper back when tilting the head back. If I had to pinpoint it I'd say it's near the top of the spine but not quite in the neck. About where the last couple of vertebrae are that you can feel if you massage your upper spine.

I kind of forgot about it as the pain was only present in that certain position and as it's an uncommon position it doesn't affect my lifestyle. However I'd say it's been present for at least a few months.

Anyway, the reason for this post is that I went to a physio as I had a little bit of ulnar nerve twinges in my left elbow/tricep after working out. He then worked on my neck 'to relieve pressure'. His techniques were kind of pulling on my head from behind (when I was lying down) and poking in the neck area.

Unfortunately in the week after this I had pain in both arms and some tingling in my right little finger. He'd obviously caused a lot of irritation to the ulnar nerve where it originates in the neck.

I've just had 4 weeks off all exercise and am feeling better, although the pain in my neck is still there and is a bit worse than before thanks to the physio (but again only when tilting my head back).

I went to another physio and he just said that my nervous system was extremely irritable (thanks to what the other guy had done) and it should calm down after a couple of weeks. It's a week later and I'm feeling much better from a nerve point of view, but the pain in my upper spine/neck is concerning.

Does anyone know what this could be? How to get rid of it? Who would be the best person to see for treatment?

My experience is that physical therapists are pretty much useless unless used for rehab/sports injuries etc, it's just trial and error for anything else. Doctors are clueless and just send you for scans, and I don't think a scan would reveal anything as I'm fine doing everything else apart from tilting my head back. I'm also a bit dubious of chiropractors as they are the same as physios and from my recent experiences I don't want to risk having manual therapy to make things worse again. I realise this doesn't leave many options left but any first hand experience or advise would be appreciated.

[shinty]

I think you should see a specialist (a physiatrist in this case I think would be best). An MRI, and an EEG, or EMG test will greatly help to diagnose you i'm sure. Everyone gave you solid info. Good Luck, and don't hesitate to ask anything else about anything in the future! take care,
                     shinty

[vonping]

Why a physiatrist?

[dtsepy]

I am having the exact same thing!  I woke up one morning with the stiffest neck I have ever had.  It took 4 days to go away!  I now am left with a very painful and uncomfortable feeling when I tilt my head back and also when I am driving with my left arm elevated on the wheel.  I constantly feel like I have toi straighten out.  I have been to mt Chiro 6 times in 3 weeks and it only seems to be getting worse.  I now have a ache in my inner elbow that seems to send the worst pins and needles to my thumb, pointer and index finer.  My Chiro said they are unrelated but I feel very strongly that they are connected.  Sleeping is the worst!  I wake up in pain 10 times a night !  why is this happening?  Im starting to get worried.  Please keep me posted if you guys come up with anything.  
Thanks!

[vonping]

I also experienced this kind of pain. I had nerve test done as well as an MRI. It was diagnosed as cubital  tunnel syndrome as well as carpel tunnel syndrome. I had surgery and  the pain and tingling and electric shock feelings have subsided 85$%. However I do have herniation's   as well as bulging disk;s in my neck  as well as  in my lower back. I was informed that the pain & discomfort  I still experience is more then likely caused because of these  herniation's or bulging disks. The pain is now traveling down to my right side buttock when I tilt my head back or  when I turn my head (neck) from right to left or left to right. I am  experiencing severe pain. I am currently researching why I am in pain when I tilt my head back as well as  when sleeping  on my side.
I hope you are feeling better and I recommend you see an orthopedic specialist and have  an MRI . Also it can not hurt to get a second or 3rd opinion. Wish you well.

[JaneH04]

Same thing with me. I am a 27year old female with the same issue. For me, the pain is not constantly occurring, it is only when i tilt my head. This is also accompanied by a slight tingling feeling in my right pinky finger and up towards my elbow. The pain in this area becomes more intense as i flex my wrist. I have a doctor visit next week. Last time I saw my PCP, I informed him of the neck issue, and he looked for MS. Results were negative. I wish I knew what this was besides strange and uncomfortable.

[ingalot]

I have this same problem, except it started almost a year ago when I ran into someone head-first while playing hockey.
It hurts when I tilt my head back, but also when I do other things (i can't quite describe exactly how)
I'm going to see an osteo next week, so hopefully the pain will stop.....

[JoannaMA28]

I'm having the same issue for a couple months now. I work in Cardiology so I'm either at my desk or with patients. I try to keep good posture as well. My coworker is a Massage Therapist (her second job) and she said it's a muscular thing in my neck so I'm going to try to have her work on it. She also showed me how to stretch my neck muscles. This whole thing is really irritating but I haven't done much to fix it except the stretching. I'll let you know how it goes with the massage, keep in touch and let me know how you're doin.

[leosa2011]

To me it appears to be tight muscles on your upper neck area.  When they are tight ot probably is pinching a nerve.  That's why when your dr. Stretches your neck, ot feels good.  Just look up some muscle exercises focusing on your neck area..