Question
Hi,

I recently started exercising, running about 3 miles every day since last week.  In the mornings, I've been doing 30 regular pushups and about 20 inclined pushups, with no problem.  On Monday, I took a break after running about 1.5 mi. and started doing pushups.  I got to about 20 and was breathing right when, all of the sudden, my neck/back of my head was pulsating and intense pain started coming on.  However, it quickly subsided after I stopped.

Yesterday, I ran again and after about 1.5 mi. I stopped for pushups.  This time, however, I got to about 10 and it might have been the worst pain I've ever felt.  I could barely move after I stopped and an excruciating, throbbing headache came on at the back of my head.  Also, today, I did about 20 pushups and started feeling the pain come on slowly, but I stopped once I noticed.

I have started having seasonal migraines a few years ago, but have never gotten a CT scan.  I had a bad fall (actually of of a cliff) and was knocked unconscious in 2002, but I never had pains until now.

I'm scared this could be an aneurysm or something of the like because, again, I've never had pains like this - especially not from doing pushups.  I'm going to be starting law school on Aug 20th and I want to make sure I'm going to be healthy.  I'd go see my PCP, but I have no money until my loans are available so that's not an option for me.

Thanks for any help you may be able to provide!
Paul

Answer
Hello, Paul,

The position you are in when the headaches start suggests muscle spasm at the back of your neck.  That would be consistent with the effect of a fall, which would reflexively trigger neck muscles into contraction.  It constitutes a whiplash injury.

That being the case, I'd suggest you read my article on whiplash injuries at http://www.somatics.com/whiplash.htm which also gives options for care.

Since you can't get a CT scan for a while, you might as well look into this information and follow the suggestions.

Please also see my piece on headaches at http://www.somatics.com/headaches.htm

with regard,
Lawrence Gold