Pain in the back of your head may be the result of a primary tension-type headache, which are common headaches that are not particularly dangerous to your health. It could also occur as a symptom of a pathological condition.
You can get rid of headaches or prevent them by adjusting your lifestyle, taking prescribed or OTC meds, or trying natural remedies.
In this article, we’ll look at the different causes of pain in the back of the head, including health conditions relating to back-of-the-head pains, symptoms and treatment.
The most common type of headache is Tension-type headache (TTH), making it one of the common causes of pain in the back of the head. TTH causes tightness and gripping pain in the neck and at the back and right side of the head. The pain is usually unlike occipital neuralgia, which causes sharp and throbbing pain.
The cause of TTH is not precisely known, but situations like stress, dehydration, hunger and lack of sleep can trigger it. Asides from the dull and constricting pain, other symptoms of TTH include:
According to the American Migraine Foundation, “A migraine is a disabling neurological disease with different symptoms and treatment approaches compared to other headache disorders.” Migraines are known to cause pain in some parts or a part of your head, which could also be the back of your head, making them much more intense!
Alongside the intense pain, migraines also come with other symptoms including,
Occipital neuralgia is a condition that occurs as a result of irritation or inflammation of the nerves - greater and occipital nerves - that supply the skin over the sides of the scalp. It is a condition common in people suffering from migraines, and it causes sharp and throbbing pain that begins at the neck and spreads from the base of the head through the scalp.
Other symptoms of occipital neuralgia include:
You may also notice changes in your vision and a stuffy nose.
One of the many disadvantages of poor posture is muscle strain. Examples of poor posture that could cause pain in the back of the head are:
Wrong postures like this can cause strain in the muscles of your neck and the back of your head. And the result will be a sharp pain in those areas, alongside stiffness in your shoulders and neck.
Cluster headaches are extremely painful headaches occurring in “clusters” or patterns. This series of headache attacks may last for weeks or months. The symptoms of cluster headaches are mainly pain in the back or sides of the head which becomes worse when you lie. Other symptoms associated with cluster headaches are:
You may also feel pain and notice redness in one eye, sensitivity to light and sound and episodes of pain occurring 1 to 8 times a day.
Cervicogenic headaches are a bit similar to migraine headaches. The main difference is migraines stem from the brain, while cervicogenic headaches come from the spinal cord and are most times referred-pain from other locations in the body. They occur as a result of problems related to the nerves, bones, muscles, or soft tissues in the neck.
If you have cervicogenic headaches, you may likely feel a slight-to-intense pain that begins in the neck and spreads to the back of your head and temples. Because the pain worsens when you lie down (like a weight on your head), it can even disrupt your sleep.
Other symptoms of cervicogenic headaches are:
Cervicogenic headaches are secondary headaches, meaning they do not occur on their own but as a symptom of another medical condition.
Low-pressure headache is the common name for Spontaneous Intracranial hypotension (SIH) or just Intracranial hypotension. SIH happens when the spinal fluid around the brain leaks out and begins to reduce. It could be spontaneous or occur after a surgical procedure like a spinal tap.
The main symptom of SIH is severe pain in the back of the head and neck, which worsens when you stand or sit. However, after lying for 20 to 30 minutes, the pain eases. Sometimes, you might wake up with a mild headache which lasts throughout the day.
Other symptoms include:
Arthritis is another cause of pain in the back of the head, especially when it affects the bones associated with the back of the head (the cervical vertebrae). You can also feel pain in the back of your head as a result of overusing medications. These headaches are called rebound headaches. Trigeminal neuralgia which is often described as “the most unbearably painful human condition,” causes pain in the back of the head alongside pain in the jaw, cheek, lips, gums, and neck.
It is advisable to check the drugs with your doctor before starting. However, there are also home remedies and natural methods you can adopt.
You can treat tension headaches with OTC meds (pain relievers) and NSAIDs. If the headaches become intense or long-lasting, it is best to visit your doctor for a prescription, mostly preventive meds like antidepressants and muscle relaxers.
The exact cause of occipital neuralgia is unknown, which is why there are several treatment options, depending mainly on how intense it is.
If you aren’t going ‘medical’, you can try physical therapy, which includes warm compresses, massages, ice therapy, and stretching exercises.
Taking care of headaches caused by bad posture doesn’t require a lot. Changing your posture is the best preventive treatment. You can also try stretching or doing posture exercises to correct your posture.
But for immediate relief, taking acetaminophen will help.
Cluster headaches occur in cycles and series of attacks, so its treatment focuses on preventing further attacks and reducing the frequency and severity of headaches.
Treatment for short-term relief includes:
Preventive treatments include:
In really severe cases, there may be surgical intervention.
Because cervicogenic headaches are secondary, the treatment will depend on the underlying condition.
The treatment of migraine could be short-term or preventive. Short-term treatments include OTC pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen and other prescribed medications.
Preventive treatment may be medical or non-medical. Medical preventive methods could be procedures or daily medications aimed at preventing migraines. The non-medical preventive treatment for migraines involves behavioural therapy and physical therapy.
Other practices you can adopt:
Most times, regular headache treatments do not ease SIH. So, if you think you have SIH, it is best to visit your doctor for the correct diagnosis and treatment.
If you notice any abnormalities associated the headaches or pain in the back of your head, you need to see a doctor or medical professional. You also need to seek medical attention if