Dizziness and Tightness at the Back of the Head: Symptoms Initially Mistaken for High Blood Pressure but Later Traced to a Cervical Herniated Disc
Dizziness, tightness in the head, or tension at the back of the head may lead many people to assume that the symptoms are related to high blood pressure, stress, or a general health issue. In some cases, however, these symptoms may originate from problems involving the cervical spine, intervertebral discs, or nerves.
This was the case for Mr. Nattapong Ngamwattanacharoen, a 47-year-old real estate business owner. His symptoms began with persistent dizziness, tightness in the head, and tension at the back of the head that continued for several months. Eventually, he discovered that the actual cause was a cervical herniated disc compressing both his spinal cord and nerves.
An Incident at a Football Match Made the Symptoms More Noticeable
Mr. Nattapong’s condition did not begin with the neck pain radiating down the arm that many people commonly associate with cervical disc problems. A significant turning point occurred when he attended a Muang Thong football match and sat in an uncovered section of the stadium in extremely hot weather.
After that incident, he began to notice more obvious physical abnormalities, particularly an unusually high blood pressure reading. This was unexpected because he regularly engaged in intense exercise, including playing football and running.
A cardiac examination found no abnormalities, so his doctor referred him for neurological and brain evaluations. The examinations revealed severe tightness in the muscles and tissues around the back of his head. Although physical therapy helped lower his blood pressure, the dizziness did not go away.
Enduring Dizziness for Months Before Requesting a Detailed MRI Examination
Mr. Nattapong lived with chronic dizziness for approximately five to six months. He eventually became convinced that something inside his body was not functioning normally. He therefore asked his doctor for detailed MRI examinations of his brain, blood vessels, and neck muscles to determine the true cause of his symptoms.
The results showed that his brain and blood vessels were normal. However, a problem was discovered in his neck: a cervical herniated disc was compressing his spinal cord and nerves.
After reviewing the results, the first hospital recommended immediate open surgery. However, Mr. Nattapong wanted a second opinion because he did not want to proceed with major surgery without first knowing whether other treatment options were available.
He searched for further information online and came across S Spine & Joint Hospital, where he also found numerous recommendations for Dr. Porn Narischat.
A Second Opinion That Changed the Course of Treatment
When Mr. Nattapong met Dr. Porn, the doctor carefully reviewed his examination results and explained that his condition could still be treated with laser therapy.
Dr. Porn diagnosed that the cervical disc was touching or compressing the nerves, but the condition had not yet progressed to a highly severe stage. The problem was associated with spending long periods working on a computer and an iPad. In the past, Mr. Nattapong had also enjoyed riding jet skis, a sport that can expose the neck and spine to repeated impact.
The doctor’s explanation was very different from the recommendation given by the previous hospital, which had advised open surgery involving an incision approximately seven to eight centimetres long. The procedure might also have required titanium implants to stabilise the spinal segment, potentially affecting his ability to bend, extend, or move his neck in the future.
After learning that a less invasive treatment option was available, Mr. Nattapong immediately decided to receive treatment at S Spine & Joint Hospital. He felt confident in the hospital’s specialised expertise, medical technology, and treatment approach, which was appropriate for his specific condition.
Laser Treatment with an Incision So Small It Was Barely Visible
Mr. Nattapong explained that laser treatment was far less frightening than he had expected and caused almost no pain. He even compared the experience by saying that having blood drawn during a medical examination was more painful than the laser procedure itself.
The entire treatment took less than one hour, while the actual laser application lasted only around 10–15 minutes. When he woke up, he was so surprised that he asked the nurse, “Is it already finished?”
Just one day after treatment, he experienced almost no pain around the wound. The incision was extremely small and barely visible compared with an open surgical incision. He was also able to get up and walk the following day.
The Dizziness Improved, and He Felt Noticeably Relieved
After treatment, Mr. Nattapong immediately felt a clear sense of relief. The dizziness that had disrupted his life for approximately six months improved following the procedure.
Regarding the remaining symptoms, the doctor explained that the nerves would need time to gradually recover because they had been under compression for an extended period.
For Mr. Nattapong, the outcome was well worth it. He no longer had to endure chronic dizziness that interfered with his daily life, work, and overseas travel.
