Headache In The Back Of The Head: Where It Comes From And How To Relieve It
Do you have a headache in the back of your head? Perhaps, you wanted to know "Can stress cause headaches?" Does it feel like the muscles of your neck and scalp are tight and full of tension? Maybe you even feel like your head is being squeezed. You might have a tension headache, commonly referred to as a stress headache.
Although tension-type headaches usually don’t indicate any serious medical issues, they can still be annoying, and painful, and keep you from enjoying life as much as you should. In this article, we’ll go over exactly what tension headaches are, their causes and symptoms, and various treatment options including ways to lower stress, such as online therapy. We’ll also discuss which headache pain symptoms may indicate that you should see a doctor.
What is a tension headache?
Tension headaches are one of the most common types of headaches, along with primary headaches, and they occur in about 75% to 80% of the adult population. In addition, about 75% of teens have experienced at least one type of headache by age 15.
This tension headache in the back of the head type of pain generally results from emotional stress. These are not typically the worst headaches and are characterized by a squeezing, dull pain on the sides and back of the head, and they typically last anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple of hours.
Symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of head pain caused by tension headaches
Below you’ll find more details relating to the symptoms, potential causes, treatment options, and preventive measures for tension headaches.
Symptoms of a tension headache
The list of symptoms associated with tension headaches may include a dull ache, non-throbbing pain, tightness of the scalp, and a stiff neck. Those who experience persistent headaches may also have some nausea. Sometimes, tension headaches are accompanied by irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle aches, and mild sensitivity to light and noise.
Causes of tension head pain
Causes of tension headaches tend to include:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Hunger
- Anger
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Problems with the neck and/or jaw
- Eyestrain
- Poor posture
- Alcohol
- Substance use
- Low iron levels
- Dehydration
- Smoking
- A cold, the flu, or a sinus infection
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
Treatment for this type of headache
If you’re experiencing a tension-type headache, you may feel mild to moderate pain in the back of your head. Most tension or stress headaches can be treated at home. Rest and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen (aspirin shouldn’t be taken by teens under the age of 15) may be enough to provide pain relief and make a tension headache go away. In some cases, you might want to use an ice pack or a muscle relaxant to release the tension. Caffeine can be helpful, too.
Gentle yoga can also be an effective way to treat tension headaches. With its focus on deep breathing, relaxation, and stretching of the muscles, this type of treatment can release the tension in your head and neck stiffness that may cause you to feel pain. There are many yoga sequences specifically focused on neck tension that can provide immediate relief from headaches. Plus, once you’ve gone through a couple of these yoga stretches, you may have a tool you can come back to time and again. Often, these types of stretches are very simple and can be done anywhere, anytime, so you may find a way to handle tension headaches even if you’re at school or work.
Prevention for tension headaches
To prevent tension headaches, it can be important to have healthy ways to handle stress. Engaging with your creativity by drawing, painting, writing, or journaling can be a productive way to decrease stress. You can also spend time with friends, family, and pets. Exercise, even if just a short walk around the block, can also lower stress levels. Hobbies like hiking, fishing, and martial arts are other options you can partake in for stress relief.
Positive nutritional choices can also help ensure the health of your brain. If you struggle to maintain healthy stress levels and frequently find yourself feeling overwhelmed, it may be wise to speak with a therapist. A therapist can help you get to the root of the issue and give you suggestions for stress management and coping skills. Seeing a therapist can help you in many areas of life.
Living a healthy lifestyle can help quite a bit with most headaches as well. A healthy lifestyle involves fueling your body with nutritious food, drinking plenty of water, exercising daily, and getting sufficient sleep each night. Relaxation techniques and biofeedback can be effective in preventing tension or stress headaches, too. Finally, since eye strain from looking at screens can lead to tension headaches, be sure to look away from screens every 20 minutes or even take a longer break from screen time if possible.
What type of headache causes my head to hurt when I lie down?
Pain in the back of your head that worsens when you lay down can be caused by cluster headaches or headaches that occur in frequent clusters. Cluster headaches are thought to be caused by changes in the blood vessels like swelling or dilation or an increase in blood pressure. A cluster headache is considered a primary headache, as the headache is not caused by underlying headache disorders.
Here are some of the other symptoms of cluster headaches:
- Sharp, burning pain
- Excessive tearing
- Droopy eyelids
- Restlessness
- Nausea
- Stuffy nose
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Pain on one side of the head or around one eye
A doctor is often needed for the treatment of cluster headaches because they might need stronger pain medication to heal rather than simpler over-the-counter solutions. Typical treatment for cluster headaches includes triptans, local anesthetics, and octreotide. Prevention often involves melatonin, nerve blockers, and corticosteroids. Always speak to your doctor before beginning or ceasing the use of any medications.
Could it be a migraine?
Migraines are another type of primary headache that has many of the same symptoms as cluster headaches. The difference between the two is that cluster headaches typically come on more quickly than migraines, with an intense pain that comes on fast and strong, while migraines generally consist of a more continuous, throbbing pain. A migraine may also be more intense, causing severe symptoms such as confusion, blurred vision, and mood changes. The American Migraine Foundation offers help in finding doctors to treat symptoms, as well as support groups for individuals who experience migraines, and their families.
Beyond tension headaches: Other types of headaches
Cervicogenic headache
Another type of headache called cervicogenic headache can be caused by sudden neck movements, or holding the neck in one position for too long. Cervicogenic headaches can have many of the same symptoms as migraines and may require more intensive steps like nerve blockers, work with a physical therapist, or very rarely a medical procedure to prevent the nerves from being squeezed.
Intracranial hypotension
If your head hurts, accompanied by pain in the back or neck and dizziness, and is relieved by laying down, you may be experiencing spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Also, known as a low-pressure headache, it is a secondary headache caused by below-normal levels of cerebrospinal fluid. This can be caused by conditions like spinal fluid leaks due to spinal surgery, epidurals, or head injury. These types of headaches typically resolve themselves on their own.
Other secondary headaches and health conditions that can cause a headache in the back of the head
Some other, more serious types of secondary headaches to look out for include occipital neuralgia or occipital nerve headaches, medication overuse headaches, sinus headaches, migraine headaches, and headaches originating in the spinal cord. These headaches can have neurological symptoms and severe pain behind the eyes and like cervicogenic headaches, may need physical therapy.
For more information on primary and secondary headaches, you can consult the Complete Headache Chart. This is a resource offered by the National Headache Foundation that offers symptoms, treatments, and prevention for every kind of headache.
Do I need to see a doctor for a headache in the back of my head?
For most tension headaches and headaches in general, it’s not necessary to see a doctor. However, in the following situations, you should speak to a medical professional, especially if you have an underlying health condition.
- You have chronic headaches (headaches occur more than 15 times per month for at least three months)
- Your headaches are frequent or severe
- Your headaches are negatively impacting your everyday life
- Over-the-counter solutions don’t help your headaches
Doctors may prescribe antidepressants or NSAIDs like indomethacin, ketoprofen, ketorolac, or naproxen for tension headaches that aren't relieved by over-the-counter pain relievers. Of course, always speak with your doctor before starting any new medications, and be sure to discuss any potential side effects.
You should call 911 or visit the emergency room if you experience the following symptoms, as they may be referred pain or signs of a serious illness:
- You have a headache accompanied by weakness or numbness
- Your headache makes it difficult to see, speak, or think clearly
- Your headache causes your face to droop
- You experience a very sudden and severe headache
- You have a headache after experiencing a blow to the head, whiplash injury, or another injury in the head or neck area
Online mental health therapy with BetterHelp
If you’re plagued by tension headaches resulting from emotional stress, it may be beneficial to speak with a therapist. BetterHelp is an online counseling platform that can match you with a certified therapist who specializes in the areas you need extra support. You can communicate with them through messages, phone calls, or video sessions. A therapist, whether in person or online, can help you work through your stress and find effective ways to cope with and manage it.
The effectiveness of online therapy
Studies have proven that online cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective in treating anxiety and depression. If you’re living with one of these mental health conditions, you might be more prone to getting tension headaches. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that teaches people to reframe their negative thought patterns into more helpful ways of thinking.
Takeaway
What causes a headache at the back of the head?
Tension headaches are the most common type of headaches affecting the back of the head and are typically caused by non-disease-related issues like:
- Fatigue
- Chronic stress
- Poor sleep
- Poor posture
- Exposure to loud noise
- Eye strain
- Tight headwear
- Medication overuse (also called rebound headache)
- Strenuous physical activity
Along with migraine and cluster headaches, tension headaches are a type of primary headache that isn’t caused by another medical condition or disease. Although symptoms may sometimes overlap, cluster and migraine headaches are often characterized by a sudden, severe onset of pain in the side of the head, behind the eye, at the temple, or other specified areas of the head. On the other hand, tension headaches often occur at the base of the skull and back of the head and are characterized as dull and throbbing.
In less common cases, headaches at the back of the head can also be caused by underlying issues like spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), occipital neuralgia, and irritation of the cervical nerves in the neck, a condition referred to as cervicogenic headache.
How do you relieve a headache in the back of the head?
Tension headache pain remedies often include short-term use of over-the-counter medications, but there are some self-care strategies that people with more frequent back-of-the-head pain can try to prevent the headaches in the first place. These include making healthy lifestyle choices like eating nutritious foods and staying hydrated, regular exercise and sleep, limiting caffeine, and quitting smoking.
Stress reduction and relaxation techniques may help as well. Try taking a break when stress becomes overwhelming by going for a walk or doing some breathing exercises. You can ease muscle tension by taking a relaxing bath, shower, or massage (from a professional or self-massage). A warm heating pad, hot water bottle, or hot towel applied to the back of the night might also help. In cases of persistent pain, regular physical therapy may help to relax the muscles in the neck associated with tension headaches.
Sometimes, getting a handle on our stress is challenging and might require the help of a counselor or therapist. If you’re having a hard time coping on your own, consider reaching out to a professional who can help you reframe your thoughts, change your attitude, and learn to let go of the things causing stress in your life.
What kind of headache radiates from the back of the head?
Radiating pain from the back of the neck has many potential causes, including cervicogenic headache (CGH). This type of headache is caused by physical damage such as a whiplash injury, fracture, or dislocation. Underlying medical conditions like cancer or rheumatoid arthritis might cause such headaches, too.
What does a dehydration headache feel like?
While it isn’t an official medical term, “dehydration headache” is used to describe a headache that occurs when the body isn’t properly hydrated. They typically feel different depending on the person but are most commonly characterized by dull, aching, throbbing pain. A dehydration headache can cause pain in one spot or all over the head and may worsen when you shake your head or bend over.
How much water should I drink to stop dehydration headaches?
How much you should drink depends on your physical makeup and level of dehydration, but some doctors recommend 16-32 ounces or as much water as it takes to see relief after a couple of hours of lying down and avoiding too much movement. Always consult a professional for medical advice on how much water you should drink to counter a dehydration headache.
What does a high blood pressure headache feel like?
Evidence is conflicting on whether high blood pressure causes headaches at all unless one’s blood pressure spikes to dangerously high levels and becomes a medical emergency. Some studies suggest that high blood pressure can affect the blood-brain barrier, causing excess pressure on the brain and leakage from blood vessels. This type of leakage typically leads to swelling, which places further pressure on the brain and causes neurological symptoms like headache, dizziness, seizures, and confusion, among others. Other research says there is no connection, including one Nepalese study indicating a negative association between hypertension and headache.
According to those studies that point to a connection, individuals experiencing headaches associated with high blood pressure reported pulsating pain in both or either side of the head that worsened with physical activity.
What does a stroke headache feel like?
People who have experienced headaches associated with stroke describe it as a sudden, severe, pulsating pain. The pain may affect the specific area of the brain related to the stroke or the entire head. A stroke headache is typically accompanied by other neurological symptoms like confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, dizziness, or vision problems. Stroke headaches can be extremely serious and should be addressed immediately by a healthcare professional.
What does a high blood sugar headache feel like?
While it isn’t a common symptom of blood sugar-related conditions like diabetes, headaches can be caused by hormonal changes in the body associated with blood sugar levels like epinephrine and norepinephrine. When affected by high blood sugar levels, these hormones can dilate the brain’s blood vessels, increasing pressure and pain in the head.
Symptoms of high blood sugar headaches reportedly vary between individuals, with some experiencing mild to severe throbbing and others experiencing stabbing or shock-like pain at the temples.
More medically reviewed research is required to establish a definitive connection between higher glucose levels and headaches. Some recent smaller studies indicate there is a connection. In contrast, older, more extensive studies suggest that headaches in some people with high blood sugar are more likely to be associated with comorbid conditions like mental health conditions or back and neck pain.
What is a spinal headache?
A spinal headache (sometimes called a post-dural puncture headache) is a symptom of procedures like spinal anesthesia and spinal tap. Both require a puncture of the membrane that protects the spine and spinal cord. This puncture might cause leakage of spinal fluid during anesthesia delivery or loss of spinal fluid during a spinal tap, leading to headache.
Most spinal headaches resolve on their own, but some more severe types may persist and require treatment, including oral pain medications, plenty of rest, proper hydration, and caffeine consumption. In cases where the headache lasts longer than 24 hours, doctors might treat the condition using an epidural patch.
Symptoms include mild to extremely severe dull, throbbing pain that typically worsens with standing or sitting and decreases when lying down. They might also feature accompanying symptoms like light sensitivity, dizziness, auditory issues, or neck pain and stiffness.
What is a headache at the base of the skull?
Headache in the base of the skull is typically caused by a tension-type headache but might also result from neuralgia occipital, cervicogenic, or migraine headaches.
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