Pain on one side back of head

Q: Why does my head hurt in one spot on my head?

Whether its the left side or the right side, one-sided head pain often indicates migraine. Migraine is a primary headache disorder that causes recurrent attacks. Symptoms of migraine typically include: throbbing, pulsating pain.

Occipital neuralgia is a distinct type of headache characterized by piercing, throbbing, or electric-shock-like chronic pain in the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the ears, usually on one side of the head. Typically, the pain of occipital neuralgia begins in the neck and then spreads upwards. Some individuals will also experience pain in the scalp, forehead, and behind the eyes. Their scalp may also be tender to the touch, and their eyes especially sensitive to light. The location of pain is related to the areas supplied by the greater and lesser occipital nerves, which run from the area where the spinal column meets the neck, up to the scalp at the back of the head. The pain is caused by irritation or injury to the nerves, which can be the result of trauma to the back of the head, pinching of the nerves by overly tight neck muscles, compression of the nerve as it leaves the spine due to osteoarthritis, or tumors or other types of lesions in the neck. Localized inflammation or infection, gout, diabetes, blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), and frequent lengthy periods of keeping the head in a downward and forward position are also associated with occipital neuralgia. In many cases, however, no cause can be found. A positive response (relief from pain) after an anesthetic nerve block will confirm the diagnosis.

Índice Show

Organizations
Content Provided By
Tension-type Headache
Poor Posture
Low-Pressure Headache
Cervicogenic Headache
Diagnosis :
When to Consult a Doctor
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why does the back of my head on one side hurt?
When should I be concerned about back of head pain?
Do brain tumors cause pain in back of head?
Why does my head hurt in one spot on my head?

Treatment

Treatment is generally symptomatic and includes massage and rest. In some cases, antidepressants may be used when the pain is particularly severe. Other treatments may include local nerve blocks and injections of steroids directly into the affected area.

Prognosis

Occipital neuralgia is not a life-threatening condition. Many individuals will improve with therapy involving heat, rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and muscle relaxants. Recovery is usually complete after the bout of pain has ended and the nerve damage repaired or lessened.

Research

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes at the National Institutes of Health conduct research related to pain and occipital neuralgia in their clinics and laboratories and support additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Much of this research focuses on understanding the basic mechanisms of pain and testing treatments in order to find better ways to treat occipital neuralgia.

View research on this topic.

View studies being conducted about this condition.

View NINDS publications on this topic.

Organizations

American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
Provides self-help coping skills and peer support to people with chronic pain. Sponsors local support groups throughout the U.S. and provides assistance in starting and maintaining support groups.

P.O. Box 850
Rocklin, CA 95677-0850

http://www.theacpa.org
Tel: Rocklin
Fax: 916-652-8190

National Headache Foundation
Non-profit organization dedicated to service headache sufferers, their families, and the healthcare practitioners who treat them. Promotes research into headache causes and treatments and educates the public.

820 N. Orleans
Suite 411
Chicago, IL 60610-3132

http://www.headaches.org
Tel: Chicago
Fax: 312-640-9049

Content Provided By

NINDS Disorders is an index of neurological conditions provided by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This valuable tool offers detailed descriptions, facts on treatment and prognosis, and patient organization contact information for over 500 identified neurological disorders.

Neurological Disorders and Stroke »

By Medicover Hospitals / 21 March 2022
Home / symptoms / Pain In Back Of Head

Headaches can range from nagging to seriously annoying that can disturb your daily activities. They can appear in any location on the head. A headache can be the primary source of discomfort or a symptom of problem in another region of the body. Some headache symptoms appear at the back of the head only and you keep on feeling pain limited in the region only.

Causes:

The pain in the back of head can be caused due to various reasons. The type and location of pain are important factors in determining the aetiology of headaches. Severe and persistent headaches need immediate medical attention from the doctor. The most common causes of pain in the back of head are:

Tension-type Headache

Tension headache usually causes forehead pain, but are also the most common cause of pain in the back of the head. It can last up to 30 mins to 7 days. The headache is caused due to severe stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, skipping meals and not drinking enough water. Due to this patient may usually feel tightening around the back and front of the head.

Some of the common symptoms of Tension-type headache are:

Tightening sensation in the back or front of the head
Pain that is low to moderate, but can be severe at times
Nausea or vomiting.

Migraine

Migraine headaches are a common type of recurring headache that frequently begins in childhood and increase in frequency and severity with age. Some of the common causes are emotional and physical stress or a change in diet. Migraine is most commonly seen in females.

Symptoms of migraine include:

Strong throbbing ache on one side of the head
Vomiting and Nausea
Visual Annoyance
Increased sensitivity to light, sound, and smell
Tender muscles and sensitive skin

Arthritis

Arthritis headaches are caused due to inflammation and edema in the neck area. They are frequently associated with pain in the back of the head and neck. More severe discomfort is usually triggered by movement. Arthritis of any kind might cause these headaches.

Common symptoms of arthritis are:

Pain
Stiffness
Swelling
Redness
Decreased range of motion

Poor Posture

The muscles in the back of the head, upper back, neck, and jaw might be strained if you slouch when you sit or stand. It can also irritate the nerves in those locations. Poor posture can lead to tension headaches and pain in the back of the head as a result.
Headaches caused by poor posture might be relieved by standing or sitting up straight. It can be cured with over-the-counter pain relievers and may also be cured with the help of physical therapy.

Low-Pressure Headache

Low-pressure headaches are more frequently known as spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). This happens when there’s a spinal fluid leak in your neck or back. The leak causes the cushion of spinal fluid around your brain to decrease.
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension causes severe discomfort in the back of the head and neck, which worsens when you stand or sit. Low-pressure headaches usually improve after half an hour of lying down. Some persons with SIH have a minor headache in the morning that gets worse throughout the day.

Cervicogenic Headache

It may feel like a headache with pain in the back of head but the issue is usually in the neck. When you feel pain in one place of the body but it's actually coming from another, this is known as referred pain.
These aren't just any headaches; they're secondary headaches, which means they're an indication of something else going on in the body.

Diagnosis :

In order to diagnose discomfort in the back of the head, the doctor will inquire about the patient's medical history as well as any previous injuries. To look for abnormalities, a physical examination and a neurological examination are usually performed. If a doctor's physical and neurological evaluations are inconclusive, he or she may prescribe additional imaging to rule out any other potential causes of pain. MRI scan may be performed to discover any impingement by providing three-dimensional pictures of particular body structures.

Treatment

Headaches can typically be treated at home, but subsequent headaches and severe headaches should be assessed by a doctor to rule out underlying medical problems. Many headache symptoms can be relieved with over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol). If you experience chronic headaches, some drugs, such as Extra-Strength Tylenol, can help.

When to Consult a Doctor

If you have a severe headache that is unlike anything you've ever experienced before, or if the headaches are getting worse, then you should contact a doctor immediately. Visit the hospital if your agony becomes unbearable to bear.
There are some symptoms that indicate an emergency. If you experience headaches alongside any of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical attention:

Mood swing and agitation
Fever and stiff neck
Slurred speech and weakness
Severe headaches

Headaches are very common. They can have an impact on a person's quality of life and capacity to do daily tasks.
Many headaches go away on their own, but some are caused by more serious issues. Anyone experiencing pain in the back of their head should consult a doctor. If an underlying cause needs to be addressed, it is advisable to do so as soon as feasible.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Pain in back of head could be due to bad posture or other reasons. The most common is tension headache which happens when muscles in the scalp and neck get tensed. Pain radiates from the sides and back of the head as a result of this.

Brain tumour can produce pain in the back of the head if it develops large enough to push the nerves or blood vessels. Headaches, on the other hand, are a poor indicator of a brain tumour.

Every patient's pain is different, but headaches caused due to brain tumours are usually continuous and worst at night or early in the morning. They're frequently described as dull, "pressure-type" headaches, however, some people report intense or "stabbing" pain as well.

Use a Cold pack or Heating pad
Ease pressure on the scalp or head
Try not to chew
Hydrate

Anxiety headaches, also known as tension headaches, can strike anywhere on the head, including the front, sides, tops, and even the back.

Citations

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-46675-6_6

https://www.wpbphysio.co.uk/what-we-treat/head-pain/

https://www.dignityhealth.org/articles/thinking-through-head-pain-when-a-headache-is-something-to-worry-about

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headache

https://patient.info/brain-nerves/headache-leaflet

Why does the back of my head on one side hurt?

From poor posture to different types of specific headaches, the back of your head may hurt due to one of these causes. Tension headache: This is the most common type of headache. It happens when the muscles in your scalp and neck tighten. This causes pain on the sides and back of your head.

When should I be concerned about back of head pain?

Your headache comes on suddenly and is explosive or violent. Your headache is "the worst ever," even if you regularly get headaches. You also have slurred speech, a change in vision, problems moving your arms or legs, loss of balance, confusion, or memory loss with your headache. Your headache gets worse over 24 hours.

Do brain tumors cause pain in back of head?

Symptoms that accompany a brain tumor headache double vision, blurred vision, or a loss of vision. increased pressure felt in the back of the head.

Why does my head hurt in one spot on my head?

Whether it's the left side or the right side, one-sided head pain often indicates migraine. Migraine is a primary headache disorder that causes recurrent attacks. Symptoms of migraine typically include: throbbing, pulsating pain.