As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Headache with neck pain can be a double whammy that makes it difficult to move the head and/or concentrate. While headaches can cause the muscles in your neck to become stiff and painful, a problem in your neck, such as irritated nerves, can also cause headaches. Common conditions where you may experience headache and neck pain together are:
View Slideshow: 7 Types of Headaches Several conditions can cause neck pain and headache to occur together. Read What Is Causing My Neck Pain and Headache? advertisement Here are 11 tips to help relieve headache and neck pain without medication. Just remember to stop a treatment if it makes your pain worse.
Try a combination of these tips to see what works best for your headache and neck pain. If your headache and/or neck pain occurs frequently or worsens over time, consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. A doctor can help formulate a treatment plan, which may also include medications. It is important to seek immediate medical attention for any stiff neck (nuchal rigidity) that presents with a severe headache and/or fever. These symptoms could indicate meningitis, which is a medical emergency. How do you get rid of a headache in the back of your head?Applying heat packs, resting, massage, physical therapy, and taking anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin or naproxen, can help reduce pain levels. Various types of heat packs are available online.
Is headache in back of head serious?Sometimes, a throbbing headache in the back of the head might be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as migraine, IH, or occipital neuralgia. Anyone who thinks that an underlying health condition is causing their headaches should speak with a doctor.
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