Headache top of head and back of neck

One very common cause of tension headaches is rooted in the neck, resulting from muscle tension and trigger points.

Table of Contents Show

What causes tension headaches?
How can you relieve tension headache pain?
When does a headache indicate a serious health problem?
How Neck Pain May Feel With CGH
In This Article:
Other Symptoms of Cervicogenic Headache
Comparison of CGH with Other Headaches
When to Seek Medical Attention in CGH
What does a headache in the back of your head and neck mean?
What does a headache on top of your head mean?
Why do I have a headache at the back and top of my head?
How do you get rid of a headache in the back of your head and neck?

What causes tension headaches?

At the base of the skull, there is a group of muscles called the suboccipital muscles. They can cause headache pain for many people. These four pairs of muscles are responsible for subtle movements between the skull and first and second vertebrae in the neck.

The suboccipital muscles may become tense and tender due to the following:

Eye strain
Wearing new eyeglasses
Poor posture
Grinding teeth
Trauma (such as a whiplash injury)

Pain from the suboccipital muscles commonly feels like a band wrapping around the head. Also, tension in these muscles may cause compression of a nerve that exits the base of the skull. This can trigger pain that wraps over the head and above the eyes.

How can you relieve tension headache pain?

Here are some tips to help you manage the cause of your tension headaches:

Get an eye exam. If you’re straining to read, or keep tilting your head up and down to use those off-the-shelf glasses, you may need a new pair of glasses.
Redesign your workstation. Simply raising your computer monitor or getting a document stand can help reduce repeated head tilting that can strain the occipital muscles.
Avoid slouching and practice good posture. Consider trying yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi. All of these disciplines are great forms of exercise and all can help to improve posture. Also, you may want to consult a physical therapist, chiropractor, or movement therapist for exercises that are tailored to your need.
Get a 30-minute massage that concentrates on the neck and upper back. This can help relax your muscles and relieve your headache pain.
Try applying a hot pack to the base of the head. Do this for 15-20 minute intervals.
Stuff two tennis balls into a sock and tie it off tightly. Lie on your back on the floor. Place the tennis balls under the base of your skull and allow your head to compress against them. Gently rock your head back and forth and side to side for a few minutes.

When does a headache indicate a serious health problem?

Most headaches are painful but not dangerous. However, headache pain can be a warning sign of a more serious health problem. Learn when you should contact your health care provider to find out if your headaches are a sign of a more serious problem like a brain tumor.

Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is characterized by a dull, non-throbbing pain that radiates from the neck to back of the head. The pain may spread along the scalp and affect the forehead, temple, and area around the eye and/or ear.

See What Is Cervicogenic Headache?

Cervicogenic headache usually begins as a dull ache in the neck and radiates upward along the back of the head, almost always one-sided. Pain may also spread to the forehead, temple, and area around the eyes and/or ears. CGH is caused due to an underlying disc, joint, muscle, or nerve disorder in the neck.

CGH is a secondary headache that occurs when pain from an underlying source in the neck is felt in the head. Common causes of CGH include injury or trauma to the cervical spine, or systemic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or infections.

See Cervicogenic Headache Causes and Risk Factors

How Neck Pain May Feel With CGH

CGH pain starts in the neck and is commonly felt as a steady dull ache that may be aggravated by certain activities or postures. While CGH is typically a one-sided pain, both sides of the neck may be painful depending on the severity. In mild CGH, the neck pain is usually present only on the affected side; but in severe cases both sides of the neck may be painful. However, pain on the affected side is more dominant in severe cases. 1 Sjaastad O, Fredriksen T. Cervicogenic headache: criteria, classification and epidemiology. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2000;18:S-3. CGH may also be accompanied by some neck stiffness and reduced range of motion.

Watch: Cervicogenic Headache Video

Headache without neck pain can also occur in CGH. In these cases, the source of CGH may not cause neck pain, but may be tender to touch. Abnormal head movements or applying pressure (by pressing) on the back of the neck may trigger CGH.

Other Symptoms of Cervicogenic Headache

CGH may be intermittent or occur as a continuous headache. In addition to neck pain, other common symptoms of CGH may include:

Headache. The neck pain radiates to the back of the head along the scalp and spreads over to the top of the head. The headache is felt as a dull, non-throbbing pain of mild to moderate intensity.
Pain radiating to other areas. The pain may extend over to the forehead, temple, and area around the eye, and/or ear.
Shoulder and arm pain. Pain in the shoulder and/or arm of the affected side is also common.
Side-locked pain. The pain always affects one side of the head and neck.
Blurred vision. The eye of the affected side may have blurred vision in some cases.

Many other CGH symptoms are possible but less common, such as nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and dizziness. CGH may start as an intermittent headache and progress over time to become a continuous chronic headache. The severity and duration of CGH headache varies with each episode/exacerbation, ranging from mild to severe.

See Cervicogenic Headache Symptoms and What Causes Neck Pain and Dizziness?

Comparison of CGH with Other Headaches

Although CGH is a distinct disorder, certain symptoms may mimic migraine or tension-type headaches.

Like CGH, migraines generally occur on one side of the head; however, CGH pain is non-throbbing and always affects the same side.
Migraine symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sounds may be seen in rare cases of CGH.
As in CGH, migraine pain worsens with continued activity.
Tenderness in the muscles of the head and neck are common in both CGH and tension-type headache.
CGH can occur at the same time along with migraine headache or tension type headache, or even trigger them.

Some occupations may increase the risk for CGH, such as hair stylists, carpenters, and drivers due to their head posture while working. 2 Page P. Cervicogenic Headaches: An Evidence-Led Approach To Clinical Management. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2011;6(3):254-266. CGH can be differentiated from other headaches with the help of physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tests. Diagnostic nerve block tests are useful in identifying the exact source of CGH pain in the cervical spine.

See Diagnosis of Cervicogenic Headache

When to Seek Medical Attention in CGH

Immediate medical attention is required in CGH caused due to serious underlying conditions such as infections, tumors or vascular complications in the head or neck. Symptoms in such cases include but are not limited to severe headache even after continued treatment, pain and tingling down the arms, high fever with stiff neck, seizures, and/or pain on coughing, sneezing, running, bending, or Valsalva maneuver.

See When Is a Stiff Neck Serious?

Once diagnosed, CGH can be well managed with appropriate treatment. Non-invasive treatments are started first, and commonly include manual therapy, medication, exercise, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Injections or surgeries may be considered in severe cases of CGH.

What does a headache in the back of your head and neck mean?

Back of your head This type of headache can also be due to poor posture or neck problems such as a herniated disc. A back of the head headache, often accompanied by neck pain, can also be a sign of a low-pressure headache, otherwise known as spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH).

What does a headache on top of your head mean?

What does it mean when you have pressure at the top of your head? It means you have a tension headache if you have pressure at the top of your head in most cases. If the pressure is severe or you're worried about other symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.

Why do I have a headache at the back and top of my head?

Tension headache: This is the most common type of headache. It happens when the muscles in your scalp and neck tighten. This causes pain on the sides and back of your head. Usually it's a dull pain that doesn't throb.

How do you get rid of a headache in the back of your head and neck?

Or apply ice or a cool washcloth to the forehead. Massage also can relieve muscle tension — and sometimes headache pain. Gently massage your temples, scalp, neck and shoulders with your fingertips, or gently stretch your neck.