Expert: Jeffrey De Bellis, PT, MS, OCS
Date: 12/3/2007
Subject: Neck/Base of Skull Pain
Question
QUESTION: Hello Sir,
I am a 24 year old healthy male. I have been working out 5 times a week (one muscle a day) for 2 years now. I eat right and I am very well hydrated at all times.
Last month, I was at the gym and doing some hanging leg raises. All of a sudden near my 6th rep, I felt a sharp pain develp at the back of my neck. I had to let go of the bar and I then had a throbbing/shooting pain at the base of my skull. The pain subsides minutes later.
I don't feel any pain at any other time during the day/night. I can rotate my neck normally. Only when I'm at the gym doing certain exercises do I feel that particular pain in my neck/base of skull. These are the exercises I've noticed that cause the pain:
1. bench press
2. preacher bicep curls
3. military shoulder press
4. hanging leg raises (i don't do them anymore)
Anyway, please help me I really don't know what is going on. I have become paranoid when working out and my mental state is blocking my progress in weight lifting.
Thank you very much,
Samer
ANSWER: There are a vairty of orthopaedic issues that can lead to exertionally induced neck pain. It is very possible that you irritated the articulation between the skull and the upper two vertebrae.
I would suggest getting a consult from th epracticioner of choice for you whether a PT, Chiro, or Orthopod. Let them take an upper cervical spine x-ray series, especially and open mouth x-ray to get a good view of that upper part of your neck.
If that exam is negative your issue is likely soft tissue or muscular and can be addressed with some good hands on PT and some home stretching technique.
Hope this helps,
Jeffrey De Bellis, PT, MS, OCS
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello Dr. Jeffrey,
Just one last thing. What exactly do you mean by "irritated the articulation between the skull and the..."? What does "articulation" encompass? And could it be serious given my current state?
Thank you Sir,
Samer
Answer
Sorry for the confusion.
An articulation is a joint, in this case the joining of the base of your head to the upper vertebrae of your neck. The structures involved in this articulation encompass bone, ligaments and muscle/tendon.
The x-ray will rule out any bone involvement and if rled oput would suggest a muscular or ligament sprain or strain.
As for the severity, it would be in appropriate for me to comment.
Do your due dilligence and have it properly diagnosed by a medical professional you trust, once diagnosed get it corrected and you should be back in business!
Jeffrey De BEllis, PT, MS, OCS