SYMPTOM
This is a pain felt at the back of your head, often described as dull or throbbing, and it can sometimes spread to your neck. It's usually down to tight neck muscles from stress or poor posture, but we should check it out to be sure.
For general awareness only. This is not medical advice. If symptoms are severe or persistent, consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 8 causes
Neck joint dysfunction
Problems with the joints or discs in your upper neck could irritate nerves that send pain signals to the back of your head. This often feels like a deep ache, sometimes worsened by neck movement.
Occipital muscle tension
Tight muscles at the back of your neck and head could press on nerves and blood vessels, causing a dull ache. You'll feel this as a constant squeezing or pressure.
Occipital migraine
A migraine attack could involve pain starting at the back of your head, often throbbing. This may also come with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound.
Occipital nerve irritation
The nerves at the back of your scalp become irritated or compressed, sending sharp, shooting pain signals. You'll experience sudden electric shocks or stabbing pains in that area.
High blood pressure
Severely high blood pressure could cause throbbing pain in the back of the head due to increased pressure inside your skull. This could feel like a pounding sensation.
Postural strain
Poor posture, like hunching over a computer, strains neck muscles and joints. This chronic tension could lead to pain that settles in the back of your head.
Cerebellar tonsillar herniation
Part of your cerebellum pushes down through the base of your skull, compressing nerves and brain tissue. This causes steady pain at the back of your head, often with dizziness.
Chiari malformation
A structural defect where brain tissue extends into your spinal canal, causing pressure. This typically results in pain at the back of the head, often triggered by coughing or straining.