The 3 key Causes of Headaches in the Back of Your Head

Occasionally we all get a headache. We might strain our neck reading or in front of a computer or adopt a posture trying to look at something or have a conversation. If that’s all it is, those headaches should resolve on their own.

Chronic headaches that keep recurring are a different matter entirely. These headaches seem to have a life of their own. They come on their own schedule and interfere with your ability to enjoy your life. 

I’ve written before about the Dangers of Pain Medications from non-prescription over-the-counter meds like Tylenol or Ibuprofen to prescription opioids. The risks are substantial:

  • Stomach inflammation and ulcers
  • Heart attacks and stroke
  • Kidney damage
  • Liver damage and Liver failure
  • High Blood Pressure 
  • Stomach Ulcers
  • Insomnia 
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea

Our healthcare system is far too often focused on treating symptoms rather than addressing the cause. And, unfortunately if there isn’t profit to be made from a drug there often isn’t motivation for finding a solution. 

If you can identify the cause of a chronic condition you can often find a way to support the body in healing. Chronic headaches are a sign of significant imbalance that the body is unable to correct. What if we could support the body in returning to balance?

It Starts with Stress!

Did you know that 75-90% of all doctor’s visits are for stress-related ailments? Stress is involved in almost every departure from health and this is especially true of chronic headaches. 

  • Stress activates the Sympathetic “Fight-or-Flight” Nervous System (SNS)
  • The SNS drives increased muscle spasm and pain through the neck and shoulders
  • The SNS causes increased Stress Hormones Cortisol and Adrenaline
  • The SNS causes increased inflammation
  • Disturbed Sleep
  • Poor Digestion
  • Higher heart rate and blood pressure

Over time we start to live in a state dominated by the Sympathetic Nervous System. This also causes a corresponding lowering of the activity of the Vagus Nerve. Why is that important? The Vagus Nerve is responsible for…

  • Reduced muscle tension and pain
  • Reduced inflammation
  • Better quality sleep
  • Better rest and recovery
  • Better Digestion
  • Lowered heart rate and blood pressure
  • Better immune function

Over time this causes imbalances that can often result in chronic headaches. Unfortunately these imbalances tend to be self-perpetuating unless we support the body in restoring balance. Headaches in the back of your head, called Occipital Headaches are common. 

These headaches originate from imbalances in the cervical spine that cause irritation to very delicate tissues that refer pain into the head. 

Let’s explore the 3 key causes of Occipital Headaches!

3 Key Causes of Headaches in the Back of your Head

Key Cause #1: Suboccipital Nerve Pressure. In the upper neck between the base of the skull and the top 2 bones are 3 pairs of nerves. There are three on the right side and three on the left side for a total of 6 nerves. These nerves travel into the head. If there is pressure to these nerves from muscle spasm caused by misaligned vertebrae this can cause headaches. 

When this happens it sets up a self-perpetuating cycle of nerve irritation, pain, and muscle spasm. The solution is to remove the pressure from these nerves by restoring proper alignment to the upper neck. 

Key Cause #2: Loss of Cervical Curve. The neck should have a curve facing forward. The average head weighs 10 to 11 pounds. When the neck loses its curve the head moves forward. Every inch that the head moves forward adds another 10-11 lbs of pressure to the muscles and small joints of the neck. This causes these muscles to spasm.

Over time this causes a breakdown of the joints resulting in degenerative arthritis. Both the spasm and arthritis are sources of headaches. 

Key Cause #3: Brainstem pressure causing Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance. The very top of the neck is home to the brainstem which is the control center for many body functions. When the brainstem experiences pressure it causes an activation of the Sympathetic “Fight-or-Flight” System which results in:

  • Increased muscle tension and spasm in the neck and shoulders
  • Increased inflammation
  • Disturbed sleep driving more inflammation and pain

Your neck is a critical area of your central nervous system. It is the junction between the brain and spinal cord and home to the density concentration of nerves in the body. It is very susceptible to trauma, postural stress, and emotional stress.

When the neck is forced out of balance it tends to drive more pain, more muscle tension, and more headaches. Most of us have a history of some accident, fall, or trauma. 

Research at Yale University found that a car collision at speeds as slow as 8.2 mph were enough to cause injury to the occupants. Think of that 10 lb. weight of a head being whipped back and forth. Often these injuries don’t show themselves until months or even years later. 

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