Why does the back of my head hurt into my neck?

Occipital Neuralgia is a condition in which the occipital nerves, the nerves that run through the scalp, are injured or inflamed. This causes headaches that feel like severe piercing, throbbing or shock-like pain in the upper neck, back of the head or behind the ears.

What muscles are in the back of head and neck?

The two trapezius muscles together form a kite shape. The trapezius muscle can be involved in extending the head upward or neck backward, rotating/turning the head, or lifting the shoulder blade. Erector spinae. Numerous muscles comprise the erector spinae muscles throughout the spine.

Does neck pain radiate to head?

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.

Why do I feel pain at the back of my head?

Tension headaches are the most common cause of pain in the back of the head. They can last for 30 minutes to seven days. Severe stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, skipping meals, poor body posture, or not drinking enough water may cause tension headaches.

What happens if you hit the back of your head?

A hard blow to the head can shake your brain inside the skull. The result: bruises, broken blood vessels, or nerve damage to the brain. A hard hit that doesn’t cause bleeding or an opening in your skull could be a closed brain injury. An open brain injury is when an object penetrates the skull and goes into your brain.

How do I relieve tension at the base of my skull?

Apply gentle pressure from your fingertips at the base of your skull. This massage can help calm tight muscles and release tension. You can also place a rolled towel under your head and neck as you lie down on your back. The pressure from the towel can provide a gentle massage.

What does Headache at back of head mean?

What does a blood clot in your neck feel like?

Blood clots can cause swelling in the veins of your neck or arms, but this is rare. Thrombphlebitis affects superficial veins and is a different condition than a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Symptoms of thrombophlebitis include swelling, redness, and tenderness over the affected vein.

How do I know if my neck pain is serious?

As a general guideline, the Mayo Clinic says you should contact a doctor if your neck pain:

Is severe.
Persists for several days without relief.
Spreads down arms or legs.
Is accompanied by a headache, numbness, weakness, or tingling.

How can I stop the pain in the back of my head?

In this Article

Try a Cold Pack.
Use a Heating Pad or Hot Compress.
Ease Pressure on Your Scalp or Head.
Dim the Lights.
Try Not to Chew.
Hydrate.
Get Some Caffeine.
Practice Relaxation.

What is the most sensitive part of the head?

The Prefrontal Cortex Is the Most Sensitive Place in the Frontal Lobe. Within the frontal lobe, the most susceptible area to injury lies at the very front of the brain behind the skull.

What part of the brain is affected when you hit the back of your head?

The parts of the brain that are most commonly affected in traumatic brain injury are the frontal and temporal lobes. And part of the reason for that is that they’re up against bone, and it’s fairly rigid and rough bone.

Where does the pain start in the neck?

CGH usually begins as a dull ache in the neck and radiates upward along the back of the head, almost always affecting just one side. Pain may also spread to the forehead, temple, and area around the eyes and/or ears.

What kind of pain is in the back of the head?

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.

What causes a headache in the back of the neck?

Arthritis headaches are caused by inflammation and swelling in the neck area. They often cause pain in the back of the head and neck. Movement typically triggers more intense pain. These headaches can be caused by any kind of arthritis. The most common are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Where does cervicogenic pain start in the head?

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.