Posted by viviane (195.252.56.48) on November 07, 2000 at 03:31:05:
In Reply to: lump in neck pain in the neck posted by DEEPFIELD on November 06, 2000 at 12:58:00:
Like you I have pain in the neck and behind left ear w. attacks, seems like a lump. but I believe it is swollen tissue, muscle, nerve, lymphgland - whatever - being caused by arthritis in the neck. I had extensive surgery last year on three vertebrae and 2 disks, your pain may be spinal-related. Good idea to check your neck with a good orthopaedic doc. Also, if you have a jaw problem, it may well radiate to the area behind your ears, down your neck - it's worth while seeing a specialist for jaw joints. I've just seen one and he spotted my problem right away, wrong posture of the lower jaw and with some very simple exercises have been able to get some improvement in a few days. (Simple test: with mouth closed, are your teeth "loose" or "clenched"?? If clenched, learn to drop your jaw loosely, tongue touching bottom teeth (not upper), mouth slightly open, then close your lips without clenching your teeth again. This relaxes facial tension, pain around temples and behind ears. Good luck !
viviane