Sternocleidomastoid Tendinopathy in a Pediatric Athlete.

Researchers documented an unusual case involving a young athlete who experienced ear pain, headaches at the back of her head, and occasional ringing in the ears and dizziness for two years without a clear diagnosis. Despite extensive testing by ear, nose, and throat specialists—including CT scans, ear pressure treatments, and even tonsil removal—her symptoms persisted and no cause was identified.

When she visited a pain clinic, doctors discovered the real problem: tendinopathy (inflammation and damage) of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which runs along both sides of the neck. This muscle condition was causing all her symptoms, even though they seemed related to her ears and head. The diagnosis was made through careful review of her medical history and a thorough physical examination of her neck muscles.

The patient received treatment combining physical therapy, acupuncture, and a short course of two medications (meloxicam for inflammation and gabapentin for nerve pain). This conservative, multi-modal approach led to complete resolution of all her symptoms.

This case is important for patients to understand because pain in the head, neck, and ears doesn't always originate from those structures themselves—sometimes musculoskeletal problems in the neck can create symptoms that seem unrelated. For individuals experiencing similar unexplained symptoms, acupuncture combined with other conservative treatments may offer relief, particularly when the root cause is muscular or tendon-related. This case demonstrates that acupuncture can be an effective component of treatment for neck muscle conditions that manifest as head and ear symptoms. If you're considering acupuncture for similar symptoms, seek a licensed acupuncturist who works collaboratively with other healthcare providers for comprehensive care.

This case report documents the first known instance of sternocleidomastoid tendinopathy in a pediatric athlete presenting with bilateral otalgia, occipital headaches, tinnitus, and dizziness over a two-year period. Following unsuccessful ENT interventions including CT imaging, pressure equalization tubes, and tonsillectomy, the patient was clinically diagnosed through history and physical examination at a pain clinic. Treatment consisted of a multimodal conservative approach: physical therapy, acupuncture, meloxicam (NSAID), and gabapentin. This regimen resulted in complete symptom resolution. The case emphasizes the importance of considering musculoskeletal etiologies in head, neck, and otalgia presentations, particularly when standard otolaryngologic workup is unrevealing. Clinical takeaway: Thorough musculoskeletal examination of cervical structures should be incorporated early in the differential diagnosis of pediatric patients with chronic head and ear pain, as sternocleidomastoid pathology can present with referred symptoms mimicking otologic or neurologic conditions. Acupuncture combined with conventional therapies may effectively address myofascial neck pathology.