The Top Three Causes of Headaches at the Back of the Head: And How Physiotherapy Can Help

Do you suffer from headaches at the back of your head? If so, you are not alone. This is a common problem that can have many different causes. In this blog post, we will discuss the top three causes of these types of headaches, and how physiotherapy can help in treating them.

What causes headaches at the back of the head?

There are many different things that can cause headaches at the back of the head. However, some causes are more common than others. Here are the three most common causes of these types of headaches:

Neck problems: The neck is a common source of headaches at the back of the head. This is because the neck is home to many important nerves and blood vessels. When something goes wrong with the neck, it can cause a type of headache which is known as Cervicogenic Headache. Common neck problems that can cause headaches include:

• The muscles in the neck can become tense or tight: This can create pressure on the nerves and blood vessels which can cause symptoms of headache. The muscles themselves can also cause referred pain into the back of your head.
• The joints in the neck can become stiff or restricted: This can also cause referred pain or place pressure on the nerves and blood vessels which can cause headaches.
• The discs in the neck can become damaged or degenerated: This can lead to a condition known as Cervical Disc Herniation. Disc herniation can also compress the nerves and blood vessels in the neck, leading to headaches.
• The nerves in the neck can become irritated or inflamed: This can cause a condition known as Cervical Radiculopathy. Radiculopathy is a condition where the nerves are compressed or pinched, which can lead to pain, numbness, and tingling in the head, neck, and shoulders.
• The blood vessels in the neck can become blocked or constricted: This can cause a condition known as Cervical Arterial Dysfunction. Arterial dysfunction is a condition where the blood flow to the head is restricted, which can lead to headaches.

All of these conditions can cause headaches at the back of your head. If you suffer from chronic headaches, it is important to see a physiotherapist or doctor to rule out any serious underlying causes.

What are the symptoms of headaches at the back of the head?

The symptoms of headaches at the back of the head can vary depending on the underlying cause. However, there are some common symptoms that are associated with these types of headaches. These symptoms include:

-Headaches that are worse in the morning

-Headaches that are worse when you move your neck

-Neck pain or stiffness

-Shoulder pain or stiffness

-Tenderness on the back of your head or neck

-Numbness or tingling in your head, neck, or arms

-Dizziness or lightheadedness

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a physiotherapist or doctor to rule out any serious underlying causes.

How can physiotherapy help in treating headaches at the back of the head?

Physiotherapy can be a helpful treatment for headaches at the back of the head. Physiotherapy can help to treat the underlying cause of your headaches, and can also help to relieve the symptoms. Common treatments that physiotherapists use to treat headaches include:

-Manual therapy: This is a type of therapy where the physiotherapist uses their hands to massage, stretch, and manipulate the muscles and joints in your head, neck, and shoulders. This can help to relieve muscle tension, improve joint mobility, and reduce pain.

-Trigger point release: This is a type of therapy where the physiotherapist uses their fingers to apply pressure to specific points in your muscles. This can help to release muscle knots and tension, and reduce pain.

-Dry Needling (using acupuncture needles): This is a type of therapy where the physiotherapist inserts thin filament needles into specific points in your body. This can help to relieve pain, muscle tension, and improve blood flow.

-Exercise: People who get headaches at the back of the head often have poor endurance in their deep neck stabilisers, poor sensory awareness of head and neck position or are overusing certain muscle groups around their neck and head. Physiotherapists can prescribe exercises to help improve your flexibility, strength, and endurance in your neck. They can also help to reduce pain and improve your overall function.

If you suffer from headaches at the back of the head, physiotherapy can be a helpful treatment option. Physiotherapy can help to treat the underlying cause of your headaches, and can also help to relieve the symptoms. If you would like to book an appointment with a physiotherapist, please call us on (02) 4721 5567 or book online today.

Thank you for reading! We hope that this article has been helpful in understanding the causes of headaches at the back of the head, and how physiotherapy can help.