Headaches in the back of the head: causes and treatment. Pain in the back of the head - what to do

The phenomenon in the back of the head is very unpleasant, causing a lot of inconvenience and often limiting performance. The causes of pain in the occipital part of the head can be very different, from diseases of the cervical spine to neuralgic pathologies.

If you don’t know why the back of your head hurts, then this article is for you. It collects the main causes and describes methods of treating headaches in the back of the head. In any case, you must remember: if you have a headache in the back of your head, you should not self-medicate, you need to seek medical help. Of course, we are not talking about isolated cases of pain in the occipital region. As a rule, they are caused by prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position, stress, extreme hunger, and also due to excessive consumption of foods with caffeine or chemical additives.

Causes of pain in the back of the head

A severe headache in the back of the head never occurs without a reason. It can be a signal of diseases:

• spine;
• vascular system;
• neurological system.

Pain in the back of the head with hypertension

Hypertensive attacks are characterized by the appearance of bursting pain, which is accompanied by pulsation. They may appear when waking up after a night's sleep. In addition, it is observed:

• general weakness;
• dizziness;
• cardiopalmus;
• increased pain when trying to tilt your head;
• reduction of pain after sudden vomiting.

Pain in the back of the head with increased intracranial pressure

Increased intracranial pressure is characterized by:

• pressing, bursting pain in the occipital region or throughout the head;
• increased pain in bright light and loud sounds;
• heaviness in the head and pain in the eyeballs;
• vomiting, which does not reduce pain syndromes.

Pain in the back of the head due to cervical myositis

Inflammatory processes in the neck muscles caused by hypothermia or injury are characterized by pain symptoms that spread from the neck to the occipital, shoulder and interscapular areas. It appears when you move your head and is asymmetrical.

Pain in the back of the head due to occipital neuralgia

Neuralgia of the occipital nerve, resulting from hypothermia or accompanying osteochondrosis, is characterized by very strong shooting pains. They occur periodically, like attacks with any attempt to change the position of the head.

During rest, a slight pressing pain is felt in the occipital region.

Pain in the back of the head due to vascular diseases

Spasms of the cranial arteries cause throbbing pain, which becomes stronger when trying to move the head and subsides somewhat at rest. The pain begins in the back of the head and eventually spreads to the frontal area. It is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the head and begins in the morning after waking up.

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Diagnosis of pain in the back of the head

If you suffer from constant or regular pain in the occipital region of the head, contact the CELT clinic. Our specialists will conduct the necessary research and find out the reason why you are experiencing pain. In order to become our patient, you do not need Moscow registration.

In addition to obtaining a history of the nature, timing and intensity of pain, diagnosis may include:

• examination by a doctor;
• blood pressure measurement and monitoring;
• ultrasonography ;
• electroencephalography;
• magnetic resonance imaging;
• examination of the fundus by an ophthalmologist.

If there is a suspicion of a brain tumor, a consultation will be required.

Headaches in the back of the head are familiar to many first-hand; they can be of varying intensity and duration. Such a symptom is always a signal of disturbances in the body and requires clarification of the cause and its subsequent elimination. Taking pills for headaches does not eliminate the pathological process, but only relieves unpleasant sensations, which is temporary. There are many reasons why the back of the head hurts; let’s look at the most common ones.

Possible reasons

The causes of pain can be physiological or pathological. If the first option does not lead to various disorders and disappears when the factor or situation that caused the pain in the head is eliminated, then the pathological processes require medical attention and can have serious consequences. If you have a pain in the back of your head and feel dizzy, you need to contact your doctor for an examination and correction of the condition; self-medication with traditional medicine methods in this case is unlikely to be successful.

With cervical osteochondrosis, the back of the head hurts constantly, in addition to the back of the head, unpleasant sensations are localized in the neck, in the temples, and pain in the arms may occur.

Sharp turns and bends in the neck cause the manifestation to intensify, especially at the time of exacerbation of osteochondrosis.

Destruction of the cervical vertebrae is characterized by migraine attacks, with severe pain in the right or left occipital region and spreading to the temples. Against the background of migraine attacks, the following are possible:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• darkening of the eyes;
• impaired coordination of movements.

Constant headaches in the back of the head, accompanied by nausea, tinnitus with subsequent hearing loss, visual hallucinations (darkening in the eyes, flashing “spots”) and temporary loss of the ability to move, may indicate the development of vertebrobasilar syndrome.

Long-term treatment under the supervision of a neurologist is necessary.

The disease is typical for people in professions subject to forced static stress (the cervical spine is tense for a long time). Cervical spondylosis is diagnosed in old age, in people over 55 years of age. Accompanied by the following symptoms:

• stiffness;
• stiffness of movements.

The gradual wear and tear of the intervertebral discs triggers the body's defense mechanisms, expressed in the formation of osteophytes (bone growths). Gradual compression of the nerve roots by osteophytes causes pain in the occipital part of the head, radiating to the eyes and ears.

A sharp headache accompanies any attempt to turn the neck, but maintaining rest does not bring relief.

A severe headache in the back of the head is accompanied by sleep disturbances and increased irritability.

Hypertension

Pain in the back of the head and dizziness are companions of hypertension. Even a slight increase in blood pressure (over 125/85 mm Hg) can cause unpleasant symptoms. Cephalgia in hypertension is often accompanied by the following symptoms:

• dysfunction of the optic nerve (flickering “floaters” before the eyes, double vision);
• tinnitus;
• pulsation in the temporal and parietal areas;
• nausea.

Severe throbbing pain is observed from the moment of awakening and is poorly relieved by analgesics; relief occurs with a decrease in blood pressure or after a single vomiting that occurs at the peak of the headache.

Cervical myositis

Inflammation of the muscles of the cervical region often provokes pain in the back of the head at the base of the skull, gradually spreading to the entire back of the head. Simultaneously with the soreness of the head, discomfort is detected in the interscapular region and shoulder girdle; the syndrome intensifies with movement.

Myogelosis

The disease is characterized by impaired blood supply to the neck muscles, which leads to pain in the back of the head, accompanied by dizziness and stiffness of movement.

Pathology can be suspected by palpating painful lumps in the neck muscles.

Occipital neuralgia

If the back of the head hurts, there is a possibility of inflammation of the nerve innervating the back of the head (neuralgia). The cause of the pathology is hypothermia against the background of an existing destructive process of the neck (osteochondrosis).

A pinched nerve root increases the risk of developing an inflammatory process along the nerve due to a malfunction in tissue nutrition.

• The pain syndrome changes depending on the activity of the pathological process; during exacerbation, patients complain of a sharp pain in the back of the head (like a lumbago), radiating to:
• cervical region;
• jaw;

back (rarely).

Without exacerbation, pain in the back of the head becomes dull and debilitating. As a feature of the disease, increased sensitivity of the skin of the occipital region is noted.

Vascular pain

• Headache in the occipital region can occur with spasm of the arteries supplying the skull or be of a venous nature. Arterial circulatory disorders are manifested by the following symptoms:
• intense, throbbing pain spreading to the frontal and parietal areas;
• worsening of the syndrome with any movement or static stress;
• reduction of pain at rest and when the neck muscles are relaxed (for example, after a massage or relaxation on an orthopedic pillow);

slight dizziness after an attack.

• Pain due to impaired venous outflow is dull in nature, accompanied by a feeling of heaviness and fullness. Such pain is characterized by the following symptoms.
• They persist for a long period of time and appear in the morning.
• Relaxing the neck muscles and rubbing bring minor relief.
• Accompanied by swelling of the eyelids and puffiness of the face.

Lying down and bending over work intensify the negative effects.

Occupational pain

Pain in the back of the head occurs due to muscle strain, causing poor circulation. Dull pain persists for a long time, the condition is alleviated by rubbing and turning the head.

Advice! To avoid unpleasant sensations in the back of the head in professions associated with prolonged static overstrain of the neck muscles, take a break from work every 50 minutes (5-10 minutes). During the break, perform simple sets of exercises aimed at unloading the neck and shoulder girdle.

Increased intracranial pressure

Intracranial hypertension is accompanied by severe headaches that are diffuse or localized in the back of the head and temples.

The nature of headaches in the occipital part of the head with increased intracranial pressure has the following symptoms.

• The pain is pressing or bursting.
• Nausea and vomiting do not relieve the condition.
• The feeling of heaviness in the head persists even at rest.
• The unpleasant sensations in the back of the head are accompanied by pain in the eyes.
• Bright lights and loud noises make headaches worse.

Before visiting a doctor, you can alleviate the condition a little at home with the following measures.

• During an exacerbation, retire in silence, creating partial shade in the room.
• Lack of stress and proper rest will also help in situations where you have a headache.

Malocclusion

Malocclusion is characterized by a complex of symptoms, the most striking of which is pain in the back of the head due to dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints.

The main symptoms of malocclusion or inflammation of the temporomandibular joints are listed below.

• Headache in the back of the head from several hours to several days.
• Appearing in the morning, the pain gradually increases in the evening.
• The pain can be localized on the right side of the head or on the left, with the greatest intensity in the lower part.

Important! You can suspect a malocclusion when you feel a clicking sound when you open your mouth. If you notice such symptoms, you should consult your dentist.

Stress

Women often have pain in the back of their heads due to severe nervous fatigue. The syndrome can vary in nature, from acute throbbing pain (during a strong emotional outburst) to dull and bursting pain (during a period of depression). The back of the head on the left side of the head hurts more often with a concomitant increase in blood pressure. The first thing a patient can do to eliminate this pain is to calm down and rest. If it is impossible to cope with emotional stress on your own, therapy is prescribed aimed at normalizing mental balance. It includes:

• massage;
• tablets or herbal preparations.

Features of headaches in the occipital part of the head

Painful sensations in the back of the head vary in intensity and duration. Based on the nature of headaches, the following types are distinguished:

• stupid;
• pressing or bursting;
• pulsating;
• acute;
• local or covering the entire head.

It can be of varying intensity, from a mild syndrome to an unbearably strong one, occur occasionally or persist daily for many years. The cause of headache is also of great importance in the diagnosis of pathology. It occurs isolated against the background of certain events.

Pathology also differs according to the localization of the process.

On right

Pain in the right side of the head can be a manifestation of the following pathologies:

• migraine;
• myositis;
• myogelosis;
• neuralgia.

It is possible that cephalalgia of a unilateral nature may occur with other pathologies (brain tumors), but more often the symptom is more diffuse in nature and is projected over the entire surface. Head pain on the right requires a full examination and treatment of the cause that caused the pathology.

Left-sided cephalalgia

When the back of the head on the left hurts, the cause is often a lesion in the cervical spine. If the syndrome persists for more than a few days, it is necessary to go to the hospital to see a neurologist or therapist.

Complete treatment allows you to quickly get rid of this pain, except in cases of brain damage.

Pain syndrome in the back of the head at the base of the skull

• Headache in the back of the head at the base of the skull is often due to injury or neurological disease. Pain of this localization is the most common. When identifying the cause of the syndrome, the patient must know exactly what is bothering him:
• back of the head;

parietal region.

The most common reason for the back of the head to burn is nervous or physical stress.

• Below is what to do if the back of your head hurts:
• provide yourself with access to fresh air;
• if the pain is stressful, calm down and relax;
• if you are overtired, it makes sense to get enough sleep and rest;

relieve symptoms with massage and relaxing music.

Cephalgia of childhood

Possible causes of headaches depend on age; in infants, the syndrome can occur against a background of bright light, noise or stuffiness. In older children - against the background of increased excitability or fatigue, however, pain can also be caused by serious pathologies.

Causes of cephalalgia in children:

• vascular disorders;
• malnutrition;
• neurological problems;
• head injuries;
• psychological factors (experiences and stress).

Advice! Causes and treatment are directly dependent on each other; do not try to suppress the symptom by taking painkillers, because a headache is just a signal of problems in the body. Cephalgia can be eliminated only if the pathology that caused it is treated. In other cases, pain will persistently make itself known.

Which doctor should I contact?

If you experience a headache, you should first consult a therapist or neurologist. After examining the patient, specialists can prescribe an additional consultation with an ophthalmologist, dentist, oncologist, psychiatrist or psychologist.

Diagnostic measures

Examination of a patient for headache begins with collecting complaints and determining the characteristics of the manifestation of the syndrome, then the doctor will prescribe the necessary additional studies:

• blood pressure control;
• examination of the fundus by an ophthalmologist;
• MRI of the brain and cervical spine;
• angiography;
• a detailed blood test to determine the general level of health and exclude the inflammatory nature of cephalalgia of the neck;
• Ultrasound of internal organs;
• electroencephalogram;
• consultation with an ENT specialist and a dentist.

The scope of the examination is selected individually based on accompanying symptoms. After assessing all test results, further tactics for patient management are selected.

Treatment

Treatment of headaches is carried out comprehensively and in accordance with the established diagnosis. It includes various methods:

• taking medications (they differ for stopping an attack and for long-term therapy);
• methods of physical influence of various factors (physiotherapy);
• treatment with folk remedies.

Important! For any pathology, normalization of lifestyle and selection of proper nutrition creates a favorable background for the therapy. The presence of pain in the back of the head signals the need to change daily habits and correct the behavioral aspect.

Drug treatment

You should take medications only as recommended by your doctor in the prescribed dosage. Many of the products have side effects or contraindications for use.

• Drugs with mild therapeutic effect for cephalgia of the occipital region include Acyclofenac, Celicoxib.
• Carbamazepine and Pregabalin are used as emergency medications (in case of an attack of severe pain).
• The following remedies will help relieve muscle tension: Mydocalm, Tizanidine.
• Neuromultivit is effective for vitamin deficiencies.
• Vascular nutrition of the brain is improved by: Pentoxifylline, Mexidol.
• The use of Corvalol, Valocardin, Afabazol and other sedatives will help eliminate vegetative-vascular disorders against the background of nervous overstrain.
• For arterial hypertension, it is necessary to take antihypertensive medications: Enap, Egilok, Anaprilin.

Given the wide variety of processes manifested by burning and pain in the occipital region, the prescription of pharmacological agents is possible only after a complete examination and determination of the etiology of the syndrome. Sometimes it may be necessary to consult several specialists at the same time; the chances of getting the right remedy when self-medicating are minimal.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy can eliminate headaches in the back of the head caused by neurological disorders:

• osteochondrosis;
• neuralgia of the occipital nerve;
• stress;
• professional cephalalgia.

Impact on certain points has a pronounced effect on the body; for treatment it is necessary to contact an experienced chiropractor.

Massage

Massage is used in the same cases as manual therapy. It has a relaxing effect. Both types of treatment are carried out in courses of 10 days. For chronic or destructive pathologies of the spine, it is recommended to repeat the course of treatment every six months.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed after relief of acute pain and are carried out in courses of 10-20 days to improve blood circulation, eliminate muscle inflammation and normalize the nervous system.

For cephalgia of the occipital region, the following procedures are effective:

• acupuncture;
• electrophoresis;
• iontophoresis;
• magnetic therapy;
• water procedures (therapeutic bath, Charcot and circular shower, hydromassage, pearl bath, swimming in the pool);
• laser treatment.

The selection of the method is carried out by a physiotherapist based on the established diagnosis and taking into account the general condition of the patient.

Physiotherapy

Therapeutic physical education is represented by a set of exercises aimed at solving a problem, in this case eliminating pain in the occipital region. The choice of exercises depends on the established diagnosis and is selected individually. Basically, all movements are aimed at relaxing and strengthening the muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle, improving cardiovascular activity and eliminating constriction and stiffness.

Traditional methods of treatment

Traditional methods for eliminating headaches are effective during an attack of cephalgia and in combination with basic remedies for long-term therapy of pathological processes in the body. Traditional therapy methods can also be harmful if used incorrectly, so the use of such measures requires consultation with a doctor.

An arsenal of folk therapy methods to combat an unpleasant feeling in the back of the head:

• herbal medicine (involves taking decoctions of medicinal herbs, the most commonly used are plants that have a sedative and analgesic effect (mint, chamomile, oregano, St. John's wort, calendula, hawthorn, motherwort, valerian));
• water (this can be a contrast shower, a cold or hot foot bath (depending on the cause of the pain), wiping large vessels and the face with cold water, rinsing your hands);
• using compresses with vinegar;
• rubbing the temples and parotid area with essential oils;
• self-massage;
• breathing exercises;
• sleep for two hours in a well-ventilated area.

To prevent unpleasant sensations in the back of the head and neck, it is recommended to monitor your health:

• observe the work and rest regime;
• control emotional state;
• provide the body with adequate physical activity;
• avoid sudden movements;
• to refuse from bad habits;
• choose a balanced diet necessary for the normal functioning of the body;
• to walk outside;
• eliminate prolonged static tension in the cervical region;
• apply various techniques to relax tense muscles throughout the day;
• visit a massage therapist and physical therapy specialist;
• enjoy everyday little things more.

By following simple rules of a healthy lifestyle and eliminating unpleasant processes as they arise with the help of specialists, a person can remain cheerful and full of strength for a long time to achieve their goals.

It is difficult to find an adult who has not experienced a headache at least once in his life. There are many reasons for its appearance. As a rule, this symptom is treated symptomatically with pain medications. But there are times when it is necessary to find out the cause of such pain.

Pain in the back of the head can be caused by various diseases and conditions.

The sudden appearance of a severe headache in the back of the head can be a symptom of a serious and dangerous disease. It requires consultation with a doctor and a detailed examination.

Causes and mechanisms of appearance

Sharp and sudden pain in the back of the head almost always has a specific cause. Sometimes it requires immediate emergency medical attention. Below are the most common mechanisms and reasons for its development:

• A sharp increase in arterial blood pressure, the development of a hypertensive crisis. In this condition, a compensatory narrowing of the large main vessels of the head occurs. There are cases when the appearance of a headache in the occipital region is the only clinical manifestation of hypertension.
• Traumatic brain injury. When a concussion occurs, brain tissue is dislocated. After an injury, you may experience a dull and aching headache in the back of your head.
• Inflammation of the occipital nerve. In this case, the pain may be shooting or aching in nature. The inflammatory process can develop due to hypothermia, exacerbation of herpes zoster.
• The development of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke in more than 80% of cases is accompanied by a sudden severe headache, which can be localized in the occipital region. In addition to pain, other significant symptoms may be observed during a stroke, for example, speech impairment, paralysis, and facial distortion.

• Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, in which compression of the blood vessels that provide blood supply to the brain tissue occurs.
• After sex. In rare cases, a sudden headache in the occipital region occurs immediately after sexual intercourse. With strong excitement, blood redistribution occurs and a short-term severe headache may appear. As a rule, its duration does not exceed 3-5 minutes.

When is it necessary to call an ambulance?

If you suddenly experience a severe headache in the back of your head, you need to be alert and decide whether there is a need to call emergency medical help.

An ambulance should be called if, in addition to severe pain in the back of the head, there is at least one of the following symptoms:

• speech disorder;
• facial asymmetry;
• the appearance of a feeling of weakness in the arms and legs;
• discomfort in the heart area;
• dizziness;
• dyspnea;
• disturbance of consciousness.

The UZP rule when diagnosing a stroke: smile, speak, raise your hands

In all other cases, you need to seek medical advice from a neurologist or therapist. There is no point in doing anything and waiting for the symptoms to go away on their own, especially if you have previously experienced such painful attacks.

Diagnostic features

To prescribe etiological treatment, a neurologist will conduct a survey, examination and prescribe a series of laboratory and instrumental examinations. Below is an approximate list of them, but it can be adjusted by the treating doctor individually in the case of each patient:

• A general blood test is needed to identify the inflammatory process in the body.
• Daily monitoring of arterial blood pressure levels is carried out in order to associate the appearance of pathological symptoms with changes in pressure.
• Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine is needed to diagnose osteochondrosis.
• Ultrasound examination of the vessels of the head is necessary to identify aneurysms, atherosclerotic lesions of veins and arteries.
• Electrocardiography is performed to exclude cardiac pathology. For example, with arterial hypertension, hypertrophy of the left heart is often found.

What does treatment include?

After determining the cause of the symptoms, a neurologist will individually select treatment.

Patients can undergo it on an outpatient basis, or, in case of serious pathologies, stay in a hospital, or even in an intensive care unit.

Therapy for headaches in the occipital region will depend on the factors that caused them

Depending on the cause, therapy may be as follows:

• For patients with arterial hypertension, medications are selected for daily use in order to maintain blood pressure at a stable level. According to the protocols, combinations of drugs from different groups are most effective. For example, diuretics and ACE inhibitors.
• The scope of medical care for traumatic brain injuries is determined by the severity of the injury. In the presence of intracranial hematomas, surgical intervention is necessary.
• For nerve inflammation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used, such as Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Indomethacin.
• Treatment of stroke can be conservative or surgical. It depends on the type and extent of damage to brain tissue and the age of the patient.

The sudden appearance of severe pain in the back of the head requires a detailed examination. In some cases, it is a signal of the onset of a stroke, or the development of a hypertensive crisis. In severe cases, emergency medical attention is required. To accurately determine the cause, instrumental and laboratory examination is necessary. Treatment is aimed primarily at the disease itself, and not at the symptom.

Every person at least once in his life has encountered such an unpleasant sensation as a headache in the back of the head. This could be a consequence of physical fatigue or mental stress, and often of excess alcohol drunk the day before. As a rule, such symptoms are not chronic unless the above reasons are the norm in everyday life. If pain in the back of the head becomes your constant companion, ignoring such signals from the body is very dangerous. Often, this symptom can indicate a serious illness that requires prompt treatment or medical intervention.

The main causes of pain in the back of the head

When the back of the head hurts, there can be many reasons for this. Moreover, sometimes it is difficult for a person in such a situation to determine what exactly hurts: the head or the upper part of the neck, because such pains tend to move from one area to another. In addition, the pain can be either constant aching or sudden, and sometimes occurs only when turning or touching. As a rule, their nature is determined by a specific disease or problem that causes pain.

So, if the back of the head hurts, the cause may be one of the following diseases:

• Arterial hypertension;
• Prolonged nervous tension;
• Prolonged physical stress;
• Mental fatigue;
• Diseases of the cervical spine;
• Cervical spondylosis;
• Cervical migraine;
• Muscle stiffness;
• Muscle tension;
• Neuralgia of the occipital nerve.

This is not a complete list of ailments that can cause severe pain in the back of the head.

Perhaps the most common cause of this ailment is considered to be high blood pressure. As a rule, people over 30 years of age suffer from hypertension, but a similar diagnosis is often observed in young people. Thus, if you experience pain in the back of your head, you must first measure your blood pressure. The norm is considered to be: 120/80.

Often pain in the back of the head is the result of stress, as well as mental and physical strain. Stress pain is more common in women after 30 years of age, but it can also affect men. We should not forget that our physical state is a reflection of our psychological state. Also, occipital pain becomes chronic in most people who lead a sedentary lifestyle: constantly being in the same uncomfortable position and lack of physical activity certainly make themselves felt.

Diseases of the cervical spine are distinguished by some characteristic signs by which one can judge the disease in this particular area. So, with osteochondrosis, spondylitis, various sprains, pain in the back of the head occurs with any, even minor movements of the head. Cervical spondylosis involves pain even in a stationary position or during sleep. With cervical migraine, pain in the back of the head is accompanied by throbbing pain in the temples, sometimes nausea, vomiting and blurred vision.

Myogelosis, or muscle numbness, is familiar to almost everyone. It can be triggered by prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, for example, in sleep, draft, poor posture, etc. Also, long stay of the body in the same position (while reading, at the computer, etc.) leads to muscle tension that causes pain in the back of the head. Additional symptoms may include dizziness and tinnitus. People who experience muscle tension often complain of a feeling of a hoop squeezing their skull.

Diseases of the cervical spine, left unattended, often contribute to the occurrence of such an unpleasant disease as occipital neuralgia. This disease manifests itself by alternating constant aching pain with severe attacks of sharp pain.

And, naturally, if the back of the head hurts, the cause may be a traumatic injury (for example, a bruise, a blow to the head or a fall). Often a person quickly forgets about what happened if the pain does not make itself felt immediately. However, such injuries are often associated with a concussion or serious damage to its tissue.

Treatment of pain in the back of the head

However, even knowing all the main and accompanying symptoms, it is very difficult to diagnose the disease yourself, without being a practicing doctor. Therefore, at the first signals from the body, manifested in the form of pain in the back of the head, a medical examination is necessary. Do not forget that if the back of the head hurts, only an experienced doctor can prescribe treatment that will lead to the desired results.

To establish a diagnosis, you can contact the following specialists:

• Cardiologist;
• Neurologist;
• Traumatologist;
• Physical therapy doctor.

If a headache in the back of the head takes you by surprise, you can temporarily relieve it with good ventilation of the room and a light massage. Before this, you need to take a lying position and relax as much as possible, and if possible, try to fall asleep.

But very often the pain in the back of the head is so severe that a person simply cannot sleep. The most common methods for eliminating such pain today are:

• Medicines;
• Manual therapy;
• Physiotherapy;
• Massage.

However, it should immediately be noted that not all of the listed methods are effective for occipital pain, since their effect directly depends on the disease that causes it. For example, for problems with the cervical spine, in particular with osteochondrosis, painkillers are practically powerless. Here it is better to use manual therapy and acupressure. And if you have high blood pressure, medications help much better than massage procedures, which in this case can even lead to the opposite effect.

Also, when the back of the head hurts, treatment can be carried out using traditional medicine. Aromatherapy helps with such pain: inhaling the aroma of mint, lavender or lemon can soften and eliminate pain. Sometimes drops of mint, rosemary, pine or lavender oil are rubbed into the temples.

Occipital pain due to migraine and fatigue is treated with a hot compress on the back of the head and a glass of hot tea. However, for some people, such ailments, on the contrary, are better helped by massaging the back of the head with an ice cube.

Pain in the back of the head can also be relieved with a cabbage leaf compress. The following folk recipe often helps eliminate it: a piece of woolen cloth is moistened with a mixture of vinegar and olive oil in equal doses and applied to the sore spot.

To avoid pain in the back of the head, you should not neglect morning exercises and walks in the fresh air. When working at a computer, you need to take breaks every hour to prevent muscle strain. You also need to remember that smoking and alcohol only worsen headaches.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

Any occipital pain, whether it is painful, dull and prolonged or sudden, strong and shooting, brings physical and emotional discomfort to a person. The cause of pain in the back of the head, which does not allow for proper rest and daily activities, must be sought in pathologies associated with the most important systems of the body - nervous, vascular and vertebral.

Why does the back of the head hurt: causes of pain and its types

In most cases, the systematic appearance of occipital pain or its constant presence signals disorders occurring in the vascular, nervous or spinal system, as well as the formation of tumors or hematomas in this area. Also, a headache in the back of the head can be provoked by non-pathological factors: weather dependence, air travel, uncomfortable sleeping position, nervous overstrain.

Severe headache in the back of the head

Severe occipital pain is evidence of acute inflammatory processes occurring in this area. It can develop in the presence of the following pathologies:

• Neuralgia of the nerve located in the occipital region - intense burning and paroxysmal pain covers the entire back of the head and can spread to the cervical region, muscles of the upper back, ears, and lower jaw. In most cases, pain syndrome develops from the inflamed nerve.
• Meningitis is a severe infection accompanied by very severe head pain, including the back of the head. Associated symptoms of the disease include high fever, vomiting, convulsions and, in severe cases, unconsciousness.

Headache in the back of the head and nausea

A frequent companion to occipital pain is. It may occur as a concomitant symptom of one of the following diseases:

• and other forms of TBI - occipital pain appears after a traumatic impact on the brain structures located in this area. The formation of hematomas, bruises of brain tissue or intracranial hemorrhages create pressure on the brain centers, thereby causing nausea and other unpleasant symptoms.
• localized in the back of the head - the pathology is characterized by almost persistent dull pain. Nausea in such cases occurs due to the pressure of the tumor on the brain structures and the toxic effect of growing cancer cells on the body.

Throbbing pain in the back of the head

The main reasons for the appearance of pulsation in the back of the head are:

• Arterial hypertension - throbbing pain, dizziness, double vision occur against the background of increased blood pressure, when blood flow cannot circulate freely through the vessels of the brain.
• Vascular spasms - with severe spasm of blood vessels located in the back of the head, a person may experience pulsation of varying degrees of intensity. Throbbing pain occurs in the back of the head, after which it spreads to the temporal and frontal parts of the head. In a calm state, the pulsation is moderate, but with movement it intensifies.

Sharp headache in the back of the head

The occurrence of sudden sharp pain can be caused by the following reasons:

• Cervical myositis - sharp pain caused by inflammation of the neck muscles. The pain attack intensifies with bending, movements of the neck and arms, and in a calm state its intensity decreases.
• – manifests itself in the form of sharp unilateral occipital pain, often a consequence of cervical osteochondrosis. Painful sensations are accompanied by dizziness, nausea, visual disturbances and other signs of a common migraine.
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage is one of the dangerous and rare types of stroke, characterized by the appearance of a sudden sharp occipital pain and its subsequent spread to other parts of the head. With this pathology, prompt medical assistance is important to save the patient’s life.

Constant headache in the back of the head

The cause of occipital pain that becomes protracted or permanent and accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms may be:

• Cervical osteochondrosis - under the influence of age, injury or prolonged work in a stationary position, pathological changes in the tissue of the intervertebral discs begin in the spinal system. As a result of this, the patient almost constantly experiences stiffness in the neck and shoulders, a dull pain in the head, localized in the occipital part.
• Cervical spondylosis - bone growths that appear on the vertebrae under the influence of age-related or occupational factors, reduce neck mobility and compress blood vessels, which significantly impedes blood circulation through them. As a result of this, the patient constantly feels a dull headache in the back of the head, which intensifies even with minor physical exertion.

Pain in the back of the head and dizziness

Headache in the back of the head rarely appears without accompanying symptoms. Quite often it is accompanied by dizziness, which may indicate the presence of the following diseases:

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• Cervical osteochondrosis - occipital pain is present almost constantly, and with bending and active movements of the head and neck it is supplemented. The reason for the development of this symptom is a violation of the blood supply to the brain caused by compression of blood vessels in places where the cervical vertebrae are deformed.
• Arterial hypertension - dizziness acts as a concomitant symptom against the background of throbbing and bursting pain in the back of the head.
• Cervical myogelosis is a disease in which blood flow in the neck muscles is disrupted and as a result, compactions occur. Symptoms of the pathology include pain in the back of the head, neck and shoulders, prolonged dizziness, and stiffness of movement.

Shoots in the back of the head

The severe paroxysmal pain characteristic of occipital neuralgia is often called “shooting.” It can occur after hypothermia, exposure to drafts, or exacerbation of the chronic stage of osteochondrosis. The pain syndrome intensifies with movements of the neck and head, due to which the patient’s condition is significantly aggravated.

Presses on the back of the head

The causes of constant or paroxysmal pressing pain localized in the back of the head are:

• Tension pain - appears with mental fatigue, prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position, the presence of frequent stressful situations and an increase in blood pressure as a result. The occurrence of tension pain is often associated with an occupational factor. Thus, unpleasant sensations are observed in people who work in a sitting position - drivers, PC operators, office workers.
• – the disease is characterized by paroxysmal pressing pain, which can cover both the entire head and a separate part of it (for example, the back of the head). In addition to feeling pressure on the back of the head, the patient experiences nausea, vomiting, dizziness, a number of visual and psycho-emotional disorders, and limb cramps.

What to do if the back of your head hurts: diagnosis and treatment

A systematically manifested headache in the back of the head is a symptom of a particular disease. Before starting its treatment, you need to undergo examination by specialized specialists to determine the cause of the pathological symptoms. After an initial examination by a therapist, a person suffering from occipital pain may be prescribed the following types of studies:

• examination by a neurologist, vertebrologist or oncologist as indicated;
• examination of the spinal system using radiography, CT or MRI;
• assessment of the state of blood vessels using an encephalograph.

After undergoing research, the following types of treatment may be recommended to the patient, depending on the diagnosis:

1. Drug therapy is prescribed in case of acute inflammatory processes or exacerbation of chronic diseases. In case of hypertension or vascular diseases, the patient is prescribed drugs that normalize the condition of blood vessels and improve blood supply. In case of inflammation of the nerve endings or acute infections, it is necessary to take anti-inflammatory and painkillers, and in severe cases, antibiotics.
2. Physiotherapy - sessions of magnetic therapy, ultrasound and electrophoresis are prescribed after undergoing drug therapy for osteochondrosis, inflammation of the occipital nerves, myogelosis, cervical spondylosis, intracranial hypertension.
3. Therapeutic exercise – is effectively used to treat occipital pain in cases of disorders of the spinal system caused by traumatic effects or age-related deformation.
4. Manual therapy, acupuncture, cranial osteopathy, folk remedies and other methods of alternative medicine are recommended to be used after making a clear diagnosis and agreement with the treating specialist.

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If pain in the back of the head occurs regularly and taking painkillers only temporarily alleviates the condition, you need not only to see a doctor and undergo a course of treatment, but also to change your daily lifestyle, giving up bad habits and balancing the time of active activity with hours of rest.