An underlying migraine condition or issues with your neck, spine, or posture may be the source of your headache back of head discomfort. You may be able to control or prevent the pain with lifestyle adjustments, alternative treatments, and medications.
Headaches may range in severity from uncomfortable to disruptive. On the head, they might appear everywhere.
There are several potential causes of pain at the headache back of head. To determine several of these reasons, additional symptoms may be required. The kind of pain experienced as well as possible sore spots in other regions are among these warning signs and symptoms.
What Results In Back Pain In The Head?
Back-of-the-head pain may result from a variety of different factors, some of which are given below. These headaches often spread to other body areas or are triggered by certain circumstances.
Based on the kind, location, and other symptoms you’re exhibiting, a doctor can identify the source of your headache and the best course of therapy.
Neck And Back
When the scalp nerves that go from the spinal cord are inflamed, occipital neuralgia is a condition that results. It often occurs in migraineurs. A condition known as occipital neuralgia causes throbbing, stabbing pain that travels from the base of the neck to the head.
Other indications include:
- Experiencing ocular discomfort
- Sharp, stabbing pain that feels like an electric shock at the back of your head and neck
- Sensitivity to light
- Smooth scalp
- Neck discomfort while moving
Poor Stance
Uncomfortable neck and back muscles may also be caused by bad posture. Poor body alignment causes your neck, shoulders, and back to tighten. You can get a headache from the tension. You may feel a dull throbbing pain at the base of your skull.
Victoria-Related Headache
Herniated discs in your cervical spine (neck) might be the cause of your neck pain. One kind of headache that might be the consequence of this is a cervicogenic headache.
The discomfort usually begins and is felt at the back of your head. You could have also felt it in your temples or behind your eyes. Pain in the shoulders or upper arms may also be an indication.
Cervicogenic headaches could become worse while you’re lying down. Some people’s pain may actually cause them to awaken. While lying down, you could feel a weighted pressure on the top of your head.
Migraine With Low Blood Pressure
Low-pressure headaches are brought on by low spinal fluid pressure in the brain. This occurs when spinal fluid leaks out of the spine. This syndrome is sometimes referred to as intracranial hypotension. These may occur spontaneously or as a result of a procedure like a spinal tap or another one when fluid leaks from the spine and creates the headache.
Soreness In The Right Side And Back Of The Skull
A tension headache is the most common kind of pain. These headaches will impact the right side and rear of your head. They might be tension in the neck or on the scalp. They cause a dull, tight, constricting ache that is not throbbing.
Migraine
Anyone who suffers from a migraine headache back of head may get one at any time, anyplace. They are often felt on the left or back of the head, even though they might be unilateral or switch sides.
- Sharp, throbbing, pulsating ache
- Auras
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Eye blinking
- A sensitivity to light or sound
Migraine headaches may start on the left side of the head, go through the temples, and conclude at the back of the head.
Soreness At The Back Of The Head While Lying Flat
Cluster headaches are highly painful, although being rare. They are recognised for the “cluster periods” that they occur in. Patients with cluster headache back of head often have attacksTrusted Source. These stretches or patterns of attack might last for weeks or even months.
Cluster Headache Symptoms
A cluster headache may cause pain on the sides or the back of the head. They could become worse if you lay down. Other warning indications include:
- Intense, searing, and burning pain
- Restlessness
- Nausea
- Plenty of crying
- Congested nose
- Reduced eyelid
- Sensitivity to light and sound
How Is Back Pain In The Head Treated?
Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), which helps to alleviate discomfort, may be used to treat many headaches. Certain medications, such as Extra-Strength Tylenol, may be helpful if you often have headaches.
The best course of treatment will depend on what is causing your headache specifically.
Treatment For Arthritis Headaches
The best therapies for arthritic headaches include anti-inflammatory drugs and heat to reduce inflammation.
Treatment Of Slouching-Related Headaches
To treat headaches caused by poor posture, take acetaminophen as soon as possible. You could try to lessen or prevent these headaches by gradually changing your posture. Sit in a cozy, ergonomic office chair with both of your feet on the ground.
How To Deal With Headaches Caused By Ruptured Discs
Herniated disc headaches must be managed in order to alleviate the underlying condition. Herniated discs may be treated with physical therapy, mild stretching, epidural injections to lessen inflammation, and, if required, surgery. You may be able to maintain your gains with exercise.
Treatment For Occipital Neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia may be treated with warm/heat therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, massage, and prescription muscle relaxants. A physician could inject local anesthetic into the occipital area to provide prompt relief in critical circumstances. This therapy option may last up to 12 weeks.
Treating Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are often treated with over-the-counter painkillers. Ask your doctor about prescription medication if you get frequent, severe tension headaches. A doctor may also suggest prophylactic medications like muscle relaxants or antidepressants to stop headaches from happening again.
Medication For Migraine
Along with an immediate painkiller, your doctor could advise a beta-blocker as a prophylactic medication for migraines.
A few OTC medications are designed specifically to treat migraine symptoms. These could be helpful for mild to moderate migraines but not for those that are more severe. A doctor may also help you determine what triggers your migraine condition so that you can avoid certain stimuli.
Treating Cluster Headaches
treatment for cluster headaches. The major objectives of Trusted Source are to reduce the length of headaches, diminish the severity of attacks, and prevent future attacks.
The following are a few short-term fixes:
- Injectable triptans, which are also used for the condition known as migraine, provide prompt relief
- Steroids
- Administering a local anesthetic
- Topiramate, Verpamil, Lithium, and Galacanezumab
Preventive interventions include:
- Corticosteroids
- Calcium channel blockers
- Melatonin
- Medications that block nerves
In cases that are particularly serious, surgery can be necessary.
When To Seek The Advice Of A Doctor
Arrange a medical professional consultation if:
- You start to have headaches more often and for longer periods of time
- You can’t do the activities you typically do because of your headaches
- Along with the aching, there is discomfort in the area surrounding your skull
- If your headache patterns have changed lately in any way
If you get a terrible headache that is unlike any other headache you have ever had or if your headaches start to become worse over time, you should make an appointment as soon as you can.
If you find it difficult to reason through your suffering, go to an emergency hospital.
There are certain indicators of an urgent issue. If you have any of the following symptoms in addition to headaches, get urgent medical attention:
- Fast personality changes, such as out-of-the-ordinary mood swings or agitation
- You find it difficult to pay attention during a conversation due to your fever, stiff neck, confusion, and decreased concentration.
- Visual changes, impaired speech, paralysis (particularly on one side of the face), and numbness throughout the body
- Headaches that are very bad after a head injury
- Headaches that begin abruptly and don’t often do so, especially if they cause you to wake up.