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Grinding sound by the base of my skull?

Posted by ehdog @ehdog, 2 days ago

When I shake my head I can hear something grinding at the base of my skull.
It's so loud and it happens no matter how my head is positioned when I turn it at all

I can hear it in the back of my skull and it didn't do that before now

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Oranges | @ashlynnmae | 2 days ago

It sounds like you might have some gas bubbles popping in your joints, or your muscles or tendons could be inflamed and rubbing as you move. Things like TMJ, poor posture, and general tension can add to the irritation. This can happen occasionally, and even if it’s new, it isn’t a sign of anything serious.

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gmarosie | @gmarosie | 2 days ago

Sounds like me—severe degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine. It was diagnosed with an MRI after I started to suffer with cervical occipital neuralgia symptoms suddenly in May ‘25. After PT and a lot of upper body exercises I am feeling better and have weaned off gabapentin. It was a long 4 months. Get your arms and neck moving everyday. Light weights and stretches. Strengthening those muscles helped tremendously because your head is heavy. Some grinding noise is normal.

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oodela | @oodela | 1 day ago
In reply to @gmarosie "Sounds like me—severe degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine. It was diagnosed with an MRI..." + (show)
Profile picture for gmarosie @gmarosie

Sounds like me—severe degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine. It was diagnosed with an MRI after I started to suffer with cervical occipital neuralgia symptoms suddenly in May ‘25. After PT and a lot of upper body exercises I am feeling better and have weaned off gabapentin. It was a long 4 months. Get your arms and neck moving everyday. Light weights and stretches. Strengthening those muscles helped tremendously because your head is heavy. Some grinding noise is normal.

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@gmarosie I have the same diagnosis, occipital neuralgia plus a subluxation of the atlas. I am just starting PT and your entry gives me hope of help. I have terrible neck pain going into my head with almost every movement but my thrapist is starting me off supine so I am able to do the exercises without much pain. thank you for reporting that help is possible.

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