Persistent Neck Pain Five Months After Choking Incident?
I’m a 40-year-old woman, and I have been grappling with chronic neck pain for the past five months since my estranged husband assaulted me by strangulation. This wasn’t an isolated incident; it has happened before. Ever since that event, I've experienced a peculiar sensation of something 'rolling' in my neck, accompanied by discomfort whenever I attempt to turn my head to the sides. It often feels as if there's pressure against my windpipe, creating a snapping or popping sound each time I move my neck. The constant sensation is akin to having my neck feel "full" and the pain is relentless. My recent doctor examined me and conducted an x-ray, which showed no abnormalities, leaving him puzzled about the source of my discomfort. Unfortunately, he didn’t explore further options and shifted the discussion to my gallbladder, which has gallstones. His demeanor has often felt rushed, making me feel like I wasn't given ample time to voice my concerns. Currently, I can't afford to consult another physician for a second opinion. What could be the underlying issue with my neck? Given that the x-ray results were normal, should I still be concerned?
Answers (1)
9/8/2025, 8:10:48 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about your situation, and it's understandable to be concerned about your persistent neck pain and the sensations you're experiencing. The ongoing pain, discomfort, and sounds when moving your neck following a traumatic event can have various underlying causes, including muscle strain, ligament damage, nerve involvement, or even a psychological response to trauma.
Explanation
Strangulation can lead to soft tissue injuries or even affect the muscles and ligaments in your neck. Sometimes, injuries may not show up on an x-ray because these scans primarily reveal bone-related issues. Your discomfort and the feeling of pressure or something 'rolling' in your neck could indicate muscular tension, spasms, or even potential damage to the nerves in that region. The popping or snapping sounds can be due to various factors, such as air bubbles in the joints or ligaments moving over bones.
Given your history and the current situation, it's important to remain vigilant but also take proactive steps to manage your symptoms.
Next Steps
-
Gentle Stretching and Movement: Start incorporating gentle neck stretches and mobility exercises. This can help improve flexibility and reduce muscle tension. Try slowly turning your neck side to side or tilting your head forward and backward, ensuring that you do this without forcing any movements.
-
Heat Therapy: Apply a warm compress or heating pad to your neck for 15-20 minutes several times a day. Heat can help relax tight muscles and alleviate discomfort.
-
Relaxation Techniques: Stress may contribute to muscle tension. Consider practices such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga to help you relax.
-
Pain Management: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can help with pain and swelling, if you're able to use them safely. Be sure to follow the recommended dosage.
-
Keep a Symptom Journal: Track your symptoms, including any changes in pain intensity, what triggers the discomfort, and any relief techniques that work. This documentation can be valuable if you are able to see a healthcare provider in the future.
-
Look for Support: If you're feeling overwhelmed by your situation, consider seeking support from local groups or hotlines that specialize in helping survivors of violence. Emotional healing is as important as physical healing.
While your x-ray results may show no abnormalities, it's important to listen to your body and continue to monitor your symptoms. If things worsen or you develop new symptoms, please seek care as soon as you can. Remember, it’s okay to advocate for your health and seek a comprehensive assessment when possible.
Related Questions
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.
Concerns About My Toes
Age: 30, Female Currently, I am on the lookout for a reputable podiatrist in my vicinity. However, I've encountered a perplexing issue with my foot. Just last night, I noticed a growth on the side of my toe, something entirely new to me. I maintain a nutritious diet and have a demanding job that requires me to be on my feet quite often. My footwear includes brands such as Brooks Ghost Runners, Hoka Bondi 9’s, and Nike Motiva’s, and I don’t opt for restrictive socks. I also apply Vick’s Vaporub to my feet, a practice handed down from my family, and stick with simple, non-fragrant lotions like Vanicream and CeraVe SA Cream for my skin. In addition, I am curious about the my big toenail's change in color. What might be the underlying reasons for this? Also, I have these persistent dark spots on my toes that I've struggled with since my days on the runway. Despite my efforts, nothing has succeeded in lightening or diminishing their appearance. I'm just looking to determine if there might have been a factor from the past that could have contributed to these issues. I’m not sure what else to include, but I’m open to answering any questions you might have. Thank you for your attention! Best wishes from a worried soul!