Pain in the Back of Your Head: Causes and Treatments

It can last from half an hour to 7 days. The cause of tension type headaches can be taking too much stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, sinus pain, not eating one meal, bad body posture and not drinking enough water. In case of tension type headache, the patient may have mild to severe pain in the back of the head. When such a headache occurs, sensitivity to light and sound increases. Appetite is reduced, swelling is felt in the upper part of the shoulder and waist and there is trouble in focusing.

(Read more - First aid for headache)

The most important reason for frequent pain in the back of the head can be migraine, which starts at a young age and starts increasing with age. Migraine is more seen in women between 35 and 45 years of age. In case of migraine, vomiting, tenderness in the muscles and difficulty in seeing stars.

Apart from this, severe pain in one part of the head, sensitive skin, sensitivity towards light, noise and smell, intense pain during physical activity and pain lasting from a few hours to several days. The causes of migraine can be emotional and physical stress, menstrual or hormonal changes, anxiety, depression, environmental and dietary changes, insufficient sleep, etc. Sometimes migraine also occurs due to medicines like contraceptive pills.

(Read more - How to Combat Morning Headaches)

If someone often bends forward while standing or sitting, then this can cause stress, strain or pressure in the muscles behind the head. Due to wrong or bad posture, pain can be felt in the upper parts of the body including the back of the head. During this time you may feel lethargic.

(Read more - Gastric Headache)

This problem can happen to those people who consume painkillers twice or more a week for a long time. This can cause severe pain in the back of the head, anxiety, irritation, fatigue, memory loss, difficulty in focusing and sometimes even depression. Not only this, this can cause problems like ongoing headaches, headaches again after stopping the medicine, headaches almost every day, sleeplessness, lack of energy and physical weakness etc.

(Read more - Sex headache)

Occipital neuralgia is a rare condition, but when it occurs, severe pain can be felt in the back of the head. This problem occurs when the occipital nerves are damaged. Underlying diseases, tension in the neck and some unknown reasons cause nerve damage or irritation. The headache caused by this condition is accompanied by burning and shooting sensations and the pain increases in one part of the head.

This can cause neck movement to deteriorate. Sensitivity to light increases and there is tenderness in the scalp. Occipital neuralgia can usually be caused by spine damage, tumors, nerve damage due to diabetes, inflammation of blood vessels and rare infections. There can be many other reasons for the pain in the back of the head, such as -

• Psychogenic headache
• Headache due to low pressure
• Cluster headache
• Arthritis headache

(Read more - Headache during pregnancy)

This problem can be cured by lifestyle changes, massage and some relaxing techniques like meditation. Sometimes treatment is also done with cognitive behavioral therapy, physical therapy or acupuncture. However, in case of frequent headaches, treatment is done under the supervision of a doctor. Apart from this, some over-the-counter medicines, such as - acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin can be taken. In some cases, the doctor may give antidepressants.

(Read more - Types of pain)

Migraines can be reduced by resting in a dark room, changing lifestyle and giving hormonal therapy. To reduce the frequency of migraine, the doctor may ask to take some painkillers like aspirin and acetaminophen. If these do not provide relief, then the doctor can give anti-migraine drugs like triptans.

(Read more - Home Remedies for Body Pain)

By correcting bad posture, the pain in the back of the head can be reduced. Over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, can also be given for this type of pain. Physical therapy can be given in some cases.

(Read more - Managing and Relieving Sciatica Pain)

In this condition, the doctor can completely stop pain relief medicines. In the beginning, the headache may worsen a lot, but gradually the condition may improve. In some severe cases, the patient may need physical or behavioral therapy to break the pain relief medicine. Sometimes the doctor may give opioids to gradually reduce the habit of pain relief medicines, because stopping or stopping the medicines suddenly can be dangerous.

(Read more - Vaginal Pain)

During the treatment of occipital neuralgia, physical therapy like ice or heat packs, resting, massage, neck strengthening or stretching exercises can be given to reduce the pain in the back of the head. Apart from this, painkillers or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, naproxen, Neurontin, Lyrica or tricyclic antidepressants can be given, which reduce inflammation. In some rare cases, surgery can be done to reduce the pressure of the nerves or to stop intense pain.

(Read more - Vitamin Deficiencies and Pain)