5 reasons you’re feeling pain in the back of your head and your neck

Experiencing pain in your neck and the back of your head? This uncomfortable sensation might be concerning, especially if you do not know the cause of your pain. Pain in these regions can have a lot of variation in intensity. Some people only experience a dull aching while others feel persistent sharp stabbing pains. Head and neck pain also tend to accompany other symptoms like stiffness. More than many other forms of pain, head pain can have a major effect on your mental health. You may have difficulty focusing on certain tasks because of nagging headaches. Head and neck pain can have a range of potential sources. Exploring the possible reasons for your pain can help ensure that you receive the right kind of treatment.

Potential causes of pain in your neck and the back of your head

• Tension headaches — Tension headaches are aching pains that typically radiate from the back of the head and neck. Tension headache pain tends to come in bursts rather than persisting at the same level. You may also feel pain in the surrounding muscle tissue. If you are experiencing discomfort due to tension headaches, treating the underlying cause is important. These headaches are often the result of tension in the head and neck muscles. Constant stress and poor posture can lead to muscle tension. By correcting your posture and alleviating stress, you can reduce the risk of future tension headaches. For people currently experiencing these headaches, physical therapy can be effective. Your physical therapist can provide you with targeted exercise and a stress management routine to alleviate tension. With education on proper posture and body mechanics, you can also work to prevent recurrence of your symptoms.

• Neck issues — There are many different neck issues that can cause pain in the back of the head. Arthritis, herniated discs and neck injuries are a few prominent examples. When a headache is caused by issues in the cervical spine (neck region), it is called a cervicogenic headache. These headaches are typically triggered by movement in the affected region. You might feel acute pain when bending your neck or moving your head. Physical therapy can help manage cervicogenic headaches with a variety of proven pain management techniques.

• Migraines — Migraines are often considered among the most intense headaches. The throbbing head pain of a migraine frequently comes with blurry vision and nausea. A migraine tends to primarily affect one side of the head. However, the pain can spread to the back of the head and into the neck. Migraines can have specific triggers. Identifying and avoiding these triggers can be the key to preventing future migraines. Your physical therapist can help by guiding you through self-help techniques. Targeted stretches and in-clinic manual therapy can also have a major impact on your pain levels. Manual therapy techniques focused on the neck are meant to ease tension and relieve pain in the affected area.

• Whiplash — Whiplash is a neck injury that can lead to chronic neck and back of head pain. Commonly caused by motor vehicle accidents, whiplash occurs when the neck is suddenly jerked forward and backward. During recovery, you may experience neck stiffness and headaches, and your pain might worsen with movement. Rest and physical therapy are often part of the recovery process. Postural training and manual therapy can help manage your pain levels and promote healing. With an effective physical therapy treatment plan, you can work toward a complete and rapid recovery.

• Nerve compression — Compression of nerves in the neck can result in localized nerve pain. This pain may radiate from the neck to the back of the head. Nerve pain can manifest in burning or tingling sensations and may come with localized numbness. If you are experiencing nerve pain in the neck and head, your occipital nerves may be compressed or damaged. The injury or inflammation of these nerves is called occipital neuralgia. Health care providers such as physical therapists can be essential for treating nerve compression.

Advent Physical Therapy can help relieve your back of head and neck pain

Headaches and neck pain can have various underlying causes. Having an accurate diagnosis of your condition is important for receiving effective treatment. At Advent Physical Therapy, our team can provide a comprehensive evaluation. This enables us to develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. After a free screening, you can receive top-notch physical therapy care to help relieve your pain.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.