My Pain Is At The Base Of My Head

At the base of the head or skull, in the back, are the occipital muscle. Often, individuals with upper neck pain or headaches have tension in these muscles. The occipital muscles connect the base of the skull to the first two vertebrae. When the neck is out of alignment, or gets strained one will most often get spasm or trigger points in these muscles.

One of the best ways to get some relief is muscle massage. Here's how to do it at home on your own. Place your open hands over your ears. Notice you thumbs land right on the occipital muscles. Dig your thumbs into the occipital s, hold for 7-10 seconds and relax, then repeat 2 more times. This is "trigger point" massage!

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Additional Reading Resources:

• How Muscle Spasm in the Neck Happens.. and how to handle it...
• You Wake up with Neck Pain. What Exercise Can you Do?
• Neck and Shoulder Pain
• What is the best pillow for my neck pain specifically?
• Hard or soft pillow? Which is best for me?

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Horrible Pain In The Upper Neck...Help!

I've had this horrible pain in my upper neck on my left side whenever I turn my head to the right. What can i do to fix the pain? It's almost unbearable...

Try massaging the occipital muscles. These muscles attach from the skull to the 1st 2 vertebrae. They are easy to find. Run your fingers down the back of your skull until you feel the base of the skull (the hard bone feeling changes because you then hit muscle). You can take your fingers and massage or press up towards the skull. Pressing on one tight area for about 7-10 seconds then moving slightly to the side works well. It only takes a little while and you can get significant relief. You can also massage with your fingers in a circular fashion.

This pain in the upper cervicals can also create a headache too; usually one that travels up the back of the head. When you turn to the right it hurts on the left because you are stretching the muscles when you do that. It may be your left occipital muscles that need the most work. There are alot of other muscles in this region as well but the circular massage and trigger point pressure will help them as well.

Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief. Bookmark this on Delicious Stumble It!