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How Can A Pinched Nerve In The Lower Neck Be Treated?
Question: yesterday I had a sudden and brief ,like electrical shock, in the back of my head that extends for a few seconds to my neck, upper back and upper chest. It happened when i was in a dinner talking with friends. It was scary to me. What,s happening
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Since from what I understand that electrical shock feeling was short lasting and you are not having persisting symptoms. That should reassure you that it is not a serious issue.
The most common cause for such a phenomenon would be a pinched nerve in the lower neck. Usually it is caused by chronic changes in the column leading to bulging discs or bony spurs which can press on the nerve and may cause such pain.
Another cause would be compression of the posterior cords of the spinal cord. It is called Lhermitte's sign, often triggered by bending the head forward. May also be due to the above mentioned chronic degenerative changes, but also from conditions like multiple sclerosis (unlikely at your age).
It can also be a completely benign issue like a muscle strain.
So I would not do anything for now as in the absence of other symptoms it may well be the latter. If it becomes a recurring phenomenon then an MRI of the vertebral spine may be considered.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Since from what I understand that electrical shock feeling was short lasting and you are not having persisting symptoms. That should reassure you that it is not a serious issue.
The most common cause for such a phenomenon would be a pinched nerve in the lower neck. Usually it is caused by chronic changes in the column leading to bulging discs or bony spurs which can press on the nerve and may cause such pain.
Another cause would be compression of the posterior cords of the spinal cord. It is called Lhermitte's sign, often triggered by bending the head forward. May also be due to the above mentioned chronic degenerative changes, but also from conditions like multiple sclerosis (unlikely at your age).
It can also be a completely benign issue like a muscle strain.
So I would not do anything for now as in the absence of other symptoms it may well be the latter. If it becomes a recurring phenomenon then an MRI of the vertebral spine may be considered.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr Taka
Thank you very much for your response, As a context and complementary to my original question I would like to inform you that in the last couple of weeks I also experienced a tightness sensation in my face, mostly over my eye browns, forehead, nose and lower jaw. It builds up suddenly and can last from 15 to 45 minutes. At that moment I have a sensation of my face blood vessels pumping. this symptom in most of the cases disappears if I rest for a while with my eyes close in my bed. Is a very uncomfortable sensation that builds worse if I do not take a rest
Thank you very much for your response, As a context and complementary to my original question I would like to inform you that in the last couple of weeks I also experienced a tightness sensation in my face, mostly over my eye browns, forehead, nose and lower jaw. It builds up suddenly and can last from 15 to 45 minutes. At that moment I have a sensation of my face blood vessels pumping. this symptom in most of the cases disappears if I rest for a while with my eyes close in my bed. Is a very uncomfortable sensation that builds worse if I do not take a rest
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
It is hard to connect that combination of symptoms together, meaning that they do not correspond to a certain are of the brain or spinal cord which damage could explain the symptoms (which would be persistent anyway, not intermittent as you describe).
If these episodes repeat again you should try to measure your blood pressure at the time as high blood pressure might be a possible cause.
Otherwise when there is such a combination of anatomically unrelated symptoms it often turns out that there are also psychological factors at play, anxiety commonly manifests with symptoms such as those mentioned.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
It is hard to connect that combination of symptoms together, meaning that they do not correspond to a certain are of the brain or spinal cord which damage could explain the symptoms (which would be persistent anyway, not intermittent as you describe).
If these episodes repeat again you should try to measure your blood pressure at the time as high blood pressure might be a possible cause.
Otherwise when there is such a combination of anatomically unrelated symptoms it often turns out that there are also psychological factors at play, anxiety commonly manifests with symptoms such as those mentioned.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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