Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 12/17/2006

Question
I have pain in my neck that shoots through my face to my head. It used to hurt with eating and drinking cold things or being in the cold. Now it hurts all the time. Is this a thyroid problem (I was told by a doctor that the symptoms looked like it) or is it because I used to pop my neck? PLEASE HELP!

Answer
Dear Miriam,

I encourage you to have your neck examined by a chiropractic physician.  These types of pain generally emanate from the nerves in the neck as well as the myofascial system.  In conjunction, you also have a nerve grouping in the neck called the trigeminal ganglion which can be the source of facial and jaw pain. The trigeminal nerve is a cranial nerve, but its course runs along the brain stem and the top of the neck with nerve fibers that extend along the jaw and forehead.

Additionally, you can have dysfunction of the TMJ (tempromandibular joint)... the jaw.  It can be a source of tremendous pain, even causing headaches.  A chiropractor is trained to evaluate the TMJ and treat if necessary...many times a dentist may need to be consulted as well for splinting, or a night guard if you grind your teeth.

Concerning a thyroid problem, yes this is possible, but you need more than just facial pain to make that kind of diagnosis.  Hypothryroid Symptoms are:  I am gaining weight inappropriately,  I'm unable to lose weight with diet/exercise, I am constipated, sometimes severely, I have hypothermia/low body temperature (I feel cold when others feel hot, I need extra sweaters, etc.), I feel fatigued and exhausted, Feeling run down, sluggish, lethargic, hair is coarse and dry, breaking, brittle, falling out, skin is coarse, dry, scaly, and thick, I have a hoarse or gravely voice, I have puffiness and swelling around the eyes and face, I have pains, aches in joints, hands and feet, I have developed carpal-tunnel syndrome, or it's getting worse, I am having irregular menstrual cycles (longer, or heavier, or more frequent), I am having trouble conceiving a baby, I feel depressed, restless, My moods change easily, I have feelings of worthlessness, I have difficulty concentrating, I have more feelings of sadness, I seem to be losing interest in normal daily activities, I'm more forgetful lately, and don't forget they have blood tests for this.

Now concerning popping you neck, you should never do this.  We actually studied cases in school of kids dislocating their necks by trying to "pop it"...a few became paralyzed...leave this to the professionals trained in spinal manipulation.

Miriam, ask friend, family, and co-workers for a referral to a Chiropractor that has helped them.  Get a consult so that you will know what to expect, and discuss the physical examination process.  You should have this checked out to see if the neck is the source of the problem, or if further diagnostic procedures need to be employed for an appropriate diagnostic impression.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman