Dr Chin Explains on Sinus Infections Causing Neck Pain: What You Should Know
Discover how sinus infections causing neck pain can affect your health. Explore the connection between head inflammation and neck discomfort in our latest blog.
If you get a sinus infection, you will likely feel facial pressure, nasal congestion, and sinus pain. But some people also feel neck discomfort. Swelling in the sinus cavities, like the sphenoid sinuses at the base of your skull, can make pain move down into the upper neck and cervical spine.
How Sinus Infections Lead to Neck Pain
When the sinus passages get swollen or have an infection, they can push on nerves, muscles, and the lymph nodes. This often leads to pain that feels like muscle tension. Sometimes, the pain may feel a bit like it is coming from your spine. In some rare cases, this pain is because of chronic sinusitis. This can also happen if acute sinusitis is not treated and then spreads to other areas that are close by.
Common Symptoms That Link Sinusitis and Neck Pain
| Symptom | Possible Source |
|---|---|
| Facial pain or pressure | Inflammation in the ethmoid or maxillary sinuses |
| Neck stiffness | Involvement of the upper cervical spine |
| Sinus headaches | Pressure buildup in small openings of sinuses |
| Stiff neck | Inflammation near the base of the skull |
| Postnasal drip | Irritating tissues in the back of the throat |
| Runny nose or sore throat | Signs of sinus symptoms or cold symptoms |
| High fever | May indicate bacterial or fungal infections |
| Loss of smell | Related to nasal polyps or nasal obstruction |
What Causes Sinus Infections With Neck Symptoms?
There are a few things that can make it more likely for you to feel neck pain from your sinuses.
- A deviated septum or deviated nasal septum
- Seasonal allergies and results from allergy testing that show what you react to
- Getting chronic sinus infections or having chronic sinusitis that do not get treated
- A weakened immune system or having other problems that affect your immune system
- Not getting good drainage in your sinus passages because of nasal obstruction
When to See a Healthcare Provider
You need to get medical attention if your sinus symptoms do not go away after 10 days. You should also see someone if you feel strong sinus pressure or have neck stiffness that does not stop. A throat specialist or ENT who is trained can help with this.
| Diagnostic Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Nasal endoscopy | Visualizes blockages in the sinus passages |
| CT scans | Identifies inflammation of the sinuses or anatomical issues |
| Allergy testing | Detects underlying triggers contributing to sinus problems |
| Blood work | Evaluates the role of the immune system |
Treatment Options ENT Specialists May Recommend
Neck pain from sinus infections can make your daily life hard. But if you get effective treatment, the symptoms can go away fast.
| Treatment | Intended Outcome |
|---|---|
| Decongestants or nasal sprays | Reduce swelling of the tissue and open blocked passages |
| Antibiotics | Treat bacterial cases of sinusitis |
| Saline rinses | Clear mucus and allergens from the sinus cavities |
| Sinus surgery | In severe or resistant cases to restore proper drainage |
| Lifestyle changes | Help reduce exposure to common cold triggers |
- About the Author
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Dr Ronald Chin is an Australian trained Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon.
After graduating as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Dr Chin undertook further specialised training in Head and Neck Cancer at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
He has published many research papers and is an active teacher and scholar.
As part of his subspecialty training, Dr Chin has training in Laser, Da Vinci Robotic, Flex Robotic and complex surgical techniques.
In addition to specialised Head and Neck Cancer, Dr Chin also enjoys general adult and paediatric ENT Surgery and practices sinus, snoring/sleep and general paediatric ENT Surgical procedures.
Dr Ronald Chin works as a general Otolaryngologist, offering a wide range of surgical and non-surgical treatments including ear surgery, nose surgery and throat surgery. He provides treatment for chronic conditions such as tonsillitis, sinus problems and problems with hearing.
He is also involved in the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions such as facial paralysis, head and neck cancer and sleep apnea. As well as performing surgery on children, he also provides specialist care for adults, including the treatment of throat disorders, voice loss and ear problems.
Dr Chin has also served as a Conjoint Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, a Conjoint Associate Professor at Western Sydney University and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney.
