Cervicogenic headache is an example of a headache. It is a pain in the neck that you feel in the back of your head. People often suffer from back pain after an injury that results in a whiplash or as a result of tightness in the neck. Arthritis, neck stiffness or neck fractures can also cause cervicogenic headaches. Your sleeping position and posture at work can also cause this type of headache.
The symptoms of cervicogenic headache are different from other types of headaches. Often, you will feel pain on one side of the head. The pain may start under your skull and feel like it is traveling to one side of the head. Your neck may feel stiff, too, and you may experience discomfort when you turn your neck from one side or the other. Some people also have pain around one eye or pain when coughing or sneezing.
Condition that may lead to headache in back of head and neck
Several conditions can cause neck pain and headaches. Some conditions can start as a neck problem and then send symptoms up to the head, while other conditions start in the head and cause pain in the neck. Getting the right diagnosis is important to create a treatment plan to alleviate the condition and reduce pain. Headaches that include back pain can have several different causes.
Many of these causes can be identified by additional symptoms. These symptoms include the type of pain that is present, and other areas where the pain may be present. Headache can be a major cause of pain or a second symptom of trouble in another part of the body. Other symptoms of headaches occur mainly in the back of the head.
Headaches that may cause neck pain
Some headaches can cause pain in the neck. Examples of headaches that cause neck pain are;
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) headache; TMJ headache is a mild pain starting in the temples and around TMJ and can resemble ear pain. TMJ complications that can cause headaches include deterioration of the muscles, nerves or bone of the TMJ;
- Tension head; Tension headache is a common headache characterized by moderate to severe pain in the forehead, scalp, and neck. Headache occurs when the muscles of the head and neck become anxious, such as tension, stress, fear or emotions.
- Hemicrania persist; is a basic head of unknown origin with a continuous head of power of moderate power. The condition also shows a sharp increase in severity when pain spreads to other areas including the neck, shoulder, and area around the ear.
- Migraine headache; Migraine is a recurring headache that results in moderate to severe strokes and pain on one side of the head. Other symptoms may include nausea and sensitivity to light or sound.
Symptoms of headache in back of head and neck
These symptoms may indicate a serious underlying condition such as aneurysms, meningitis, stroke, or swelling. Neck pain as a result of trauma below the skull should be considered as an emergency and treated without delay. Other symptoms include;
- Hand numbness or tingling
- Headache
- Shoulder pain
- Severe shooting pain or severe pain in your neck
- Light, burning, or sharp pain in your back. Pain can be closed to a single spot or cover a large area
- Dying of the leg or tingling above or below your knee
- Stiffness or pain that occurs anywhere in your back
- A sharp, shooting pain that extends from your lower back to your buttocks, under the back of your thigh, and into your calf and toes.
- The same injury in the middle or lower back of your spine, especially after standing or sitting for a long time
Pain that occurs suddenly in the back of the head or neck, because of a wound, is considered acute pain. Severe pain comes quickly and can go away sooner than chronic back or neck pain. This type of pain should not last more than 6 weeks. Pain that can come quickly or slowly and lasts for weeks, 3 months or more, is considered chronic pain. Chronic pain is less common than acute pain.
Causes of headache in back of head and neck
We would like to share with you some common causes of headache in back of head and neck and how they can be overcome. These tips work both short and long.
Tension head; it is normal. When a person has tension headaches, he may feel like a band is tightening around his forehead, putting pressure on his head. Pain is usually on the head, not on one side or the other. Some people also experience pain in the back of their neck and shoulders when they have tension headaches. But tension headaches are not the cause of neck pain.
Medication-induced headaches; it can be exacerbated if a person takes too many painkillers. MOH headaches are also known as recurrent headaches. Regular use of pain relief does not cause any problems. However, when a person is taking painkillers more than two days or more a week for a long period of time, overdose or headaches can occur.
Poor posture; Poor posture can also cause pain in the back of your head and neck. Bad posture creates tension in your back, shoulders, and neck. And that tension can lead to headaches. You may feel a light, throbbing pain in the bottom of your skull.
Migraines; While the pain from headaches is often mild, migraines usually cause excruciating pain. The pain is usually on one side of the head and can be on the neck, too. For a while, it was not clear whether the neck pain caused migraines or whether it was a symptom of migraine. One expert suggested that neck pain was a symptom of a headache and not a cause of the headache itself.
Occipital neuralgia; it is a different and unusual type of headache that usually begins below the neck and extends to the back of the head, then behind the ears. It may be related to damage or irritation of the occipital arteries, which extend from the back of the neck to the bottom of the head. Primary illnesses, neck tension, or other unknown causes can cause damage or irritation.
Herniated discs; in the cervical spine can cause neck pain and tension. This can lead to a type of headache called cervicogenic headache. The pain usually comes out and you feel it on the back of the head. It can also be felt in the temples or behind the eyes. Other symptoms may include discomfort in the shoulders or upper arms.
What are the complications of headache in back of head and neck?
- Loss or productivity; Back pain is the most common cause of disability in working adults.
- Nerve damage; If your back pain comes from a herniated disc, pressure on the spinal cord can cause a variety of problems, such as weakness, numbness, or severe shooting pain that travels from the back to the leg.
- Depression; Back or neck pain can disrupt all aspects of one’s life: work, physical activity, social activities, and sleep. Anxiety and stress caused by changes in mobility and pain can lead to depression.
- Weight gain; Loss of mobility and lack of exercise can lead to weight gain and loss of muscle strength.
It is a good idea to see a health care provider if you are numb or in pain, or if your pain is severe and does not improve with medication and rest. If you have trouble urinating, weakness, pain, or numbness in your legs, fever, or involuntary weight loss, you should call your healthcare provider right away.
Prevention headache in back of head and neck
The following may be helpful in preventing headache in back of head and neck:
- Practice proper lifting techniques (avoid heavy lifting; as you lift the object, bend your legs, straighten your back, and then slowly lift your body with the object).
- Make good use of phones, computers, and other devices.
- Maintain proper posture while sitting, standing, and lying down.
- Exercise regularly. Learn specific back strengthening exercises to keep your back muscles strong. Get some stretching exercises before you do back exercises.
- Do exercises that improve your balance.
Treatment of headache in back of head and neck
Acute headache in back of head and neck is usually best without special treatment. Using acetaminophen or ibuprofen will reduce pain and help you to relax. Surgery and special exercises are generally not used for severe pain.
1. Exercise
By doing these simple exercises three times a week, as well as keeping the same shoulder back, you will see a reduction in your headache within 1 day. Remember though the muscles described above; The levator scapulae, trapezius as well as the deep neck muscles, will still be stiff so you will need to visit your friendly body to help release these if symptoms persist.
Remember, If you do what you have always done, you will always get what you get. Yes the headache will return if you fall asleep, so there is no slouching.
2. Good posture
- The lower back; Put your hands on your hips and lie down on your chair, now stay in the way by pushing your hips forward and bend your lower back. Come to the middle half between these two extremes this is the neutral lumbar position.
- Shoulder blade position; bring the same shoulder blades forward and be lazy, now pull them back as you would if you rowed again find the middle position and put it back about 5% more.
- Neck posture; Hold your chin down and give yourself a double chin, then return to the resting position, now lay down just over 10% of that chin position twice.
Now that you are in a good postural position this is related to your headache. Research has shown a relationship between the position of the scapula and the tightness of the neck.
3. Improve workplace ergonomics
Adjusting how you work is good for preventing headaches caused by pain in the neck. The way you sit at work can put stress and pressure on your neck. If possible, adjust the height of your monitor to view it directly instead of up or down.
When you sit down, choose a seat that is comfortable for you. Your feet should rest flat on the floor, and your knees should be a few inches from the edge of the seat. If you have to look down the papers at work, consider getting a position to hold documents at eye level so that you do not bend your neck all the time.
4. Do more exercise
Increasing your level of physical activity can help reduce neck pain and reduce headaches. Some types of exercise are better for headaches than others. Choose low-impact activities that focus on calming the body, such as yoga or gentle stretching. Heart routines, such as walking, can help reduce headaches. Walking also allows you to enjoy nature and sunlight, reduce stress levels, and further help reduce headaches.
5. Try heat and cold
Whether heat or cold will help reduce headaches due to neck pain depends on the type of headache. For migraines, try using a cold button or ice pack on your head to get relief. Apply the compress for 15 minutes, then take a 15 minute break and repeat. If you have a headache and neck pain, try putting a warm towel or heating pad on the area where you feel the pain.