If you experience pain in the back of your head, you would probably appreciate some relaxation. You need to find the root of the problem to get a long-lasting remedy. Because of one of these reasons, from bad posture to various forms of severe headaches, the back of your head may hurt.
Tension headache
This is the most prevalent form of headaches. That is when the head and neck muscles tighten. This causes pressure on the sides of the head and behind it. Typically it is a dull pain but not throbbing. A tension headache is not a symptom of a health issue. However, it can still be painful. Some people say it feels like a vise is squeezing their head. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin may be used to treat certain tension headaches. Your doctor can, in some cases, prescribe an antidepressant, which can also serve as a painkiller.
Poor posture
When you sit or stand, you tend to slouch, which can strain the muscles in the back of your head, upper back, jaw, and neck ( Click here to learn about neck pain treatment in Singapore ). In those areas, it may also put pressure on the nerves. Because of this, poor posture can cause tension, headaches, and back pain. Standing up straight or sitting up can help relieve headaches from poor posture. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also be of help. You may need, in some cases, physical therapy.
Arthritis headache
The key symptom of headaches with arthritis is pain in the back of your head, which worsens as you move. This may be the product of arthritis in your spine’s first, second, or third vertebra. It could also be due to changes in your neck’s bone structure or inflamed blood vessels in your head. These headaches can normally be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers, or both. Talk about the treatments with your doctor.
Low-pressure headache
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is more commonly called a low-pressure headache. This occurs when there is a leak in the neck or back of the spinal fluid. The leak causes the spinal fluid pad around your brain to reduce. Symptoms of SIH include the severe back of the head and neck pain, which gets worse when you’re standing or sitting. Low-pressure headaches usually get stronger after a half hour’s lying down. Some people with SIH wake up with a minor headache that gets worse during the day.
If you think you have SIH, see your doctor. A series of tests and imaging scans will possibly be used to diagnose the condition. Most patients suffering from SIH find that conventional headache remedies do not work. They focus instead on a blend of caffeine, water, and lying down. An outpatient procedure called an epidural blood patch is a common, often viable treatment. Your doctor draws blood from your arm for this procedure, then injects it into your lower spine. While you can have some lower back pain for up to a week (or even longer in extreme cases), the headache goes away almost immediately.
