The answer can be rather terrifying. In some rare cases, throbbing neck pain is the only symptom of a torn artery. However, most people who experience this type of pain are dealing with a condition called occipital neuralgia.
Occipital Neuralgia is a condition in which the occipital nerves, the nerves that run through the scalp, are injured or inflamed. This causes headaches that feel like severe piercing, throbbing or shock-like pain in the upper neck, back of the head or behind the ears.
A physical therapist can help you learn why and how occipital neuralgia can cause your neck pain.
Often, people develop this condition as a result of poor posture. A blow to the head or neck can also lead to this nerve issue, and tense neck muscles can cause it as well. Besides pain, occipital neuralgia can also lead to symptoms like:
Pain that starts at the base of your skull and moves into the scalp.
Sensitivity to light.
Scalp being sensitive to the touch.
Increased pain when you move your neck.
Physical therapists have many techniques that can help reduce the symptoms of occipital neuralgia. Some of the techniques your physical therapist could use to help you include:
Active Release Techniques® that can reduce tension in neck muscles.
Graston Technique® intended to break down scar tissue restricting your neck.
At-home care sessions in which your physical therapist works with you one-on-one in your home.
Therapeutic exercises to strengthen and stretch the neck muscles.
Virtal therapy sessions where your physical therapist meets with you over a secure online video feed.
Spinal rehab to realign the vertebrae, muscles and other structures in your neck.
At Health Plus PT, our Neck Pain Relief program is dedicated to helping patients overcome throbbing neck pain and restore comfort. Neck pain relief requires a focused, patient-centered approach, and our specialized therapy is designed to reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and strengthen supporting muscles using evidence-based methods.
