Headache radiating from the back of the head - symptoms, causes, naturopathy

Headache on the back of the head

A large proportion of headache patients complain of headaches radiating from the back of the head. In practice, these are referred to as tension headaches and are considered separately from other headache forms. Often the pain radiating from the back of the head is associated with a nerve (occipital nerve major). This runs along the back of the head through the neck muscles. In neck tension, this nerve is often disconnected causing the pain. But there are also other causes possible, which are explained in more detail below.

Radiant back pain - a quick overview

In many cases headaches radiating from the back of the head have no worse cause. A pinched nerve is often the trigger. Rarely, these pains indicate a medical emergency. However, if the symptoms suddenly occur and are accompanied by other severe symptoms, it could be a stroke, cerebral hemorrhage or meningitis. In these cases, an emergency doctor must be called immediately. Here is a brief overview of the symptoms:

• SynonymsOccipital headache, occipital pain, back pain, tension headache, English: occipital headache, tension headache, pain at the back of head.
• symptoms: Headache drawing from the back of the head to the middle of the head, partially radiating pain in the temples, eyes or forehead, jaw pain, stinging or throbbing pain at the back of the head.
• Danger: If the pain comes on suddenly and symptoms such as speech or visual disturbances, paralysis, nausea, numbness, dizziness, seizures or disturbances of consciousness are added, it is an emergency, which must be treated promptly.
• Common causes: Often a nerve is trapped, but whiplash due to a fall, stroke or car accident, herniated disc, cervical spine injuries, improper posture (e.g., in the office), or nocturnal teeth grinding may also be the cause.
• therapy: Painkillers, massages, heat therapy, heat creams, physiotherapy.
• NaturopathyOsteopathy, Hot Pot Padding, Hay Bags, Fango Packs, Moxa Therapy, Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Autogenic Training, Hypnotherapy, Self Hypnosis, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Medicine.

Headaches coming from the back of the head are often associated with functional causes such as a pinched or irritated nerve. (Image: peshkov / fotolia.com)

symptoms

The headache pulls from the back of the head up to the middle of the head. Partly with radiations in the lateral areas (temples) or in the eyes or the forehead. There is a nerve that runs from the second cervical vertebra through the muscles at the back of the head to the middle of the skull. This is the large occipital nerve (Latin Nervus occipitalis major). The symptoms described above occur exactly in its anatomical course.

Functional causes

The majority of headaches that radiate from the back of the head are so-called tension headaches. They are associated with a Nervus (Nervus occipitalis major), which runs here on its way directly through possibly strained neck muscles, where it is often irritated or clamped.

Pinched nerve and possible sequelae

In some cases, it can cause symptoms such as eye pressure, eye pain, jaw pain, forehead pain or tummy ache, which go beyond the supply area of ​​the clamped nerve. One possible reason for this is that the nerve has connections to other nerves on the head (according to Jean-Pierre Barral). However, it is also assumed that mutual influences can occur between the head and temporomandibular joints, as these have direct and indirect neural connections.

Tense neck muscles

Since the occipital nerve runs right through the neck muscles on its way, it is assumed that it is often irritated there when the neck muscles are permanently very tense. This is the case, for example, with many office activities, with constant mental tension or with physical activities with raising the shoulders.

Whiplash and overload

In addition, often the second cervical vertebra is limited by past car accidents (whiplash) or overloading by chronic hyperextension of the head in his mobility and additionally disconnects nerves. The same thing happens when working on the monitor by pushing forward the head, whereby the cervical spine has to be additionally stabilized. For some, spinal instability may occur at the junction of the cervical and thoracic spine.

If the symptoms occur suddenly and in combination with other symptoms, it can be a medical emergency. A doctor should be consulted immediately. (Image: Giulio_Fornasar / fotolia.com)

When is an emergency??

In rare cases, headaches radiating from the back of the head may indicate serious and dangerous causes. This is particularly the case if the symptoms occur abruptly and are accompanied by other symptoms. If, for example, a stiff neck develops within a short time and there is a speech disorder as well as paralysis on the face and left arm, these can be the first signs of a stroke. Now, immediately and as quickly as possible, call an ambulance, as every minute decides on life and death as well as the occurrence of consequential damage.

Other serious illnesses

If the occipital headache occurs as a result of a fall, stroke or accident, it can be a concussion, which should definitely be clarified by a doctor. When nausea and vomiting, paralysis, head or head numbness, vision or speech problems, dizziness, loss of consciousness, convulsions, or fever with the headache may also be a brain hemorrhage or meningitis. Here also an immediate treatment in a hospital is required.

Naturopathic treatment options

In an osteopathic treatment, an attempt is made to reduce the tension of the neck muscles and to restore the mobility of the second cervical vertebra and to relieve it at the same time. Subsequently, the reasons for the increased muscle tension are looked at. Possible reasons for this are, for example, in the thoracic spine, in dealing with stress or only at the position of the screen at home or at work. Likewise, incorrect footwear, unilateral stress, an inappropriate mattress, a wrong pillow or nocturnal teeth grinding may be responsible for the pain.

Headache on the back of the head: a treatment example from osteopathy. (Image: Dan Race / fotolia.com)

The entire cervical spine must be considered

This means that in addition to the diagnosis and treatment of local complaints, it is important to consider the entire system of the cervical spine and its connections, as this may be responsible for the onset of discomfort. Such a procedure takes place, for example, in osteopathy and Rolfing.

heat treatments

With "simple" neck tension, heat applications can sometimes help by increasing circulation to improve oxygenation and relaxation. These include, for example, pads made of hot potatoes, hay sacks, fango packs, moxa applications or thermal patches.

Stress reduction measures

When negative stress factors, strains and tensions in the development of pain due to muscle contraction are in the foreground, work and leisure conditions should be analyzed and, if necessary, regulated with professional support. The learning of progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobsen, Feldenkrais exercises, breathing techniques or autogenic training promotes the ability for deep physical and mental relaxation, which contributes massively to stress reduction.

Hypnotherapy and self hypnosis

In hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis, unfavorable beliefs can be modified and solutions, such as new attitudes, developed, which can then lead to beneficial behaviors.

medicinal plants

In the case of pronounced autonomic dysbalance, calming and mood-regulating herbal medicines are also administered on a transitional basis. Among others, the following medicinal plants are used here:

• valerian,
• hop,
• St. John's Wort,
• passionflower.

The way headaches occur provides initial clues to the cause. (Image: Henrie / fotolia.com)

Prevention - what you can do yourself

There are a number of preventative measures that can help alleviate, cure or even prevent the symptoms. First, you should check his shoes. If these are too big, too small, too tight or too high, joints, tendons and muscles are unnecessarily burdened, which can ultimately also result in back pain.

Headache Diary Guide

For people who regularly suffer from headaches, a headache journal is recommended in which all information about the headache is written down. The diary can really help uncover the actual triggers. The book should be documented, for example

• when the headache occurred,
• how severe the pain was and how long it lasted,
• what you did before,
• what you ate and drank,
• whether medication was taken,
• how much stress you felt,
• whether concomitants have occurred.

Backpack better than bag

A one-sided carrying bag can also lead to one-sided loads. In a backpack the weight is better distributed than in a handbag. For example, shopping in the supermarket can also be transported with a trolley.

Check bed

Is the headache especially strong in the morning? Then the sleeping place or sleeping position could be the cause. In addition to an uncomfortable mattress is often an inappropriate pillow guilty of an unhealthy sleeping posture.

The sleeping space, the mattress and the pillow have a significant influence on sleeping posture. An incorrect sleeping posture can be the cause of regular back pain. (Image: Jehsomwang / fotolia.com)

Regular exercise helps

Those who, after hours of computer work, only lie down on the couch, promote tension due to stress and lack of exercise. Obesity often joins the unhealthy circulation. In addition to the gym, Thai chi and yoga are also very good here to break this cycle and at the same time reduce stress.

Consult the dentist

At the next routine check-up, the dentist can check if the jaw joints are overstretched. This can happen, for example, by teeth grinding in the night. In addition to a protective rail, the dentist can also grind off troublesome teeth and prescribe manual therapy. (tf, jvs, vb; updated on 13.08.2018)