I've been working out for a month or so now, and I always start my workout with the chest press machine (sitting up, pushing straight out in front of me). It's been okay until recently, and when I get up to around 80 or 90 pounds. I have no problem pressing that much weight, I can even do a little more comfortably, but recently when I try to do that much I get a sudden pain in the back of my head, right above my neck. It feels like a major strain or something, but it doesn't feel like a muscle pull. It's a dull throbbing pain that lasts for several hours. Since I usually start with the chest press, when this happens to have to either leave right away or cut my workout very short and it gets frustrating. I'm kinda worried about this too because it can't be a good thing. It never happens when I do the pec deck or any other workout, just the chest press.

So thoughts? Should I forget the gym for a while? Seek medical attention? Simply avoid that machine altogether? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

Couple of things....

1.) Go see a therpaist or MD.

2.) Your occiptal muscles in the back of the skull are tight due to your protracted shoulders. The pushing action is actually pulling the muscles of teh nexk (levatro scap, traps) causing tension.

See a qualified professional to give you rehab exercises.

could just be the seated position also...i've tried it seated and well it sucks compared to free weights, try laying down free weights before spending money on a therapist

Could also be breathing related. I know this sounds silly, but are you breathing properly? Deep breath in during eccentric and breath out during concentric?

I have heard of people developing migraines during bench type exercises in particular that were fixed with proper breathing technique.

Worth a shot.

However, StandApart is prolly right, and you should seek medical attention.

-Rip

Breathe out as you push the weight, dude. You could pop a blood vessel if not, or that's what I've heard, hehe.

This reminded me of something I read a while ago, about people who suffered from major headaches during climax. In a few cases there were problems with stress (overloaded individuals), causing these headaches.

Just some food for thought.

hi i knwo this thread is a couple years old now but i was just wondering if the original poster ever found out what was wrong? im having the same problem. painful muscle strain in the back right of my head when doing bench press. however, when i do incline bench press its fine...

Also, you should try using lube.

Teeheehee. Snrrrk.