Dull throbbing neck pain symptoms can occur for several reasons. The discomfort may be a result of an injury, such as whiplash from a car accident, or from poor posture.
It may also be that you slept with the neck in a non-supported position, creating an alignment in your spine and neck that was not appropriate.
Yoga is an excellent way to reduce dull throbbing neck pain. First, be certain that your neck pain is not serious before doing any rehabilitative exercise.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that neck pain rarely requires surgery as treatment.
Identification
NIH states that neck pain can be caused by any of the bones or the discs that cushion them: neck pain is often from neck strain. The cervical spine, or neck, is made up of seven bones. When you sit in a chair for an extended time, you easily bring your head forward, forcing to bear the weight of your skull. A human head weighs anywhere from 8 to 12 pounds or more, creating an obvious strain on the neck. This can lead to dull, throbbing neck pain.
Whiplash is a very common injury from minor car accidents. Wearing a seat belt protects you from serious injury but does not prevent whiplash. Whiplash occurs when your head is thrust away from the midline of your body---often creating strain in the muscles of the neck, upper back and resulting in obvious neck pain.
Sleeping with the head supported on a pillow so that the spine is straight and the neck is completely supported may prevent neck pain.
Considerations
If your job requires you to log many hours sitting in front of a computer, make certain your work station is ergonomic.
Make sure your wrists are level while you type; your back straight, your knees bent at 90 degrees and your feet flat.
Adjust your chair so that your eyes strike your monitor at eye level and you are not hyperextending your neck.
If you are small, place your feet on a step.
Wear a headset and under no circumstance place your phone under your ear and hold it there with your shoulder: that aggravates neck pain.
Dull throbbing neck pain can sometimes be referred pain from a headache or migraine. If you sense it's a headache, you can take a pain reliever, such as aspirin, or see a chiropractor to adjust your spine.
Whiplash injuries are best assessed by a doctor, physical therapist or a chiropractor. They can determine if you have a more serious injury and what movements are permissible while you heal from neck strain.
Significance
The National Institutes of Health advises people to seek medical help for any neck pain that lasts longer than a week. A study done by the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that about 13 percent of all adults experience some kind of neck pain.
Getting your neck pain properly diagnosed is the first step in reducing it.
Theories/Speculation
Neck pain, like any kind of spinal pain, may also have a genetic or physical origin. If you have a family history of degenerative disc disease, arthritis or osteoporosis, see your doctor for an evaluation.
Work- or sports-related injuries can cause pinched nerves or minor car accidents can cause whiplash, which can result in neck pain.
Mental and physical stress can also create tension in the upper back and neck and result in tension headaches or migraines that can result in dull, throbbing neck pain.
Prevention/Solution
Have your dull, throbbing neck pain evaluated by a health professional if it interferes with your ability to sleep, work or comfortably go about your normal daily activities. If the pain level keeps you from concentrating or you are unable to turn your head properly side to side, see a physician.
If your discomfort is at a lower level, enroll in a beginner's yoga class and learn a few postures such as Downward Facing Dog or any standing forward bend such as Prasarita Padottasana C, to extend and traction the neck bones therapeutically.
Take breaks at work so that you do not sit for hours in front of your computer.
A 2002 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that 68 percent of adults who had some neck pain experienced relief after 6 weeks of chiropractor adjustments.
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