Headaches come in several different forms, and recurring, sharp pains in the head can be among the most jarring and disruptive. Unfortunately, as annoying and distressing as headaches can be, they are not the easiest symptom to diagnose. There is a variety of potential underlying causes that range from the benign to the life-threatening. Being able to understand some of the nuances of head pain and the potential associated symptoms to watch for can help you better inform your doctor and hopefully arrive at the correct diagnoses.

First, Terminology

When speaking to your doctor, it can help to be as specific as possible. Saying you have a sharp pain on the right or left side of the head can be descriptive and useful, but the more precise you can be in the description, the better the diagnoses will be. When describing a sharp pain in the head, make sure to specify if you mean something like:

A throbbing pain starts small and builds, sometimes to very high intensity. It’s usually on one side of the head, but it may also include some or all of the top of your head. Everyday movements. Symptoms: Stroke-like symptoms- Severe throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, numbness, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of balance, speech. Occipital neuralgia is a form of headache that causes pain along the upper neck and back of the head. The pain is in the distribution of the nerves known as occipital nerves (sensory nerves that run from the upper part of the neck to the back of the head). The pain of an occipital neuralgia headache can be. Common reasons for a sharp pain in your head are migraines, ice pick headaches, irritation to nerves in your head, drinking too much alcohol, and even eating something cold can cause a shooting pain in your head. However, on rare occasions, the sharp pain in the head may be a sign of a more serious medical condition.

• A knife-like pain, as if you are being stabbed in the head
• The headache is sudden and severe
• The headache is an intense, painful throbbing
• You are experiencing a shooting sensation in your head

You should also try and mention any activities you were doing when the pain occurred (take notes if you need to) as well as duration and location.

Possible Causes for Sharp Pain in the Head

Migraines

Although they are more common among women, migraines can affect anyone. The severity of a migraine can vary from person to person, so what might be crippling for one individual could merely be annoying for another. Migraines tend to present with severe pain beginning around an eye or temple, and then migrate to the back of the head as a sort of pulsing sensation. Possible associated symptoms include nausea, runny nose, watering eyes, sensitivity to light, numbness or tingling, and visual disturbances (“auras”).

Ice Pick Headaches

As the name implies, this is a type of headache that features a sharp, stabbing pain in one region of the head or behind an ear. The pain can be sudden and frightening, but usually only lasts for up to 30 seconds. Ice pick headaches are usually a recurring problem and people will suffer sporadic attacks rather than prolonged bouts of migraines.

Sinus Headache

The sinuses are a series of linked cavities in the skull that are lined with mucosa tissue. Under certain conditions, like infection or congestion, the sinuses can become inflamed and build up blockages. This results in a sinus headache, which presents as an intense pain around the forehead, nose, eyes, upper mouth/teeth, or cheeks. The pain may also increase if you tilt forwards.

Cluster Headaches

A cluster headache usually appears on one side of the head and tends to occur at a similar time each day. The name comes from how cluster headaches are known to strike repeatedly over several days before vanishing for weeks or months. Cluster headaches strike with a burning, sharp, persistent pain that peaks after a few minutes and can last for up to an hour and a half. Tearing or congestion may also appear. The ailment is found about four times as often in men, and is known to run in families.

Giant Cell Arteritis

Also known as “temporal arteritis”, this condition is a type of one-sided head pain that is caused by inflammation (“-itis”) of the inner lining of an artery in the head. Unfortunately, the cause of the condition isn’t known. What is known is that giant cell arteritis can produce sharp, one-sided head pain, jaw pain (especially when eating), general tenderness in the scalp, a low-grade fever, and sometimes interfere with vision. That last symptom is one of the more problematic since, if left untreated, giant cell arteritis can lead to blindness.

Stroke

A stroke is basically the brain’s version of a heart attack. Something has caused blood flow to part of the brain to get blocked or severely restricted, which in turn causes the affected section to starve and die. In addition to intense, sudden pain around the affected region, strokes commonly come with symptoms like muscle weakness, numbness, slurring of speech, paralysis, visual disturbances, or death if left untreated.

Brain Tumor

Depending on size and specific location, a brain tumor can cause little to no symptoms. If one grows large enough, the pressure it exerts will end up causing sharp pains in the head. Other symptoms will depend on where in the brain the tumor has grown, but can include things like movement or speech difficulties, personality changes, muscle weakness, vision disturbances, and so on.

Treating Sharp Pains in the Head

Given the different causes of headaches, there is no singular treatment. The treatment for a brain tumor (surgery, radiation therapy, etc.) is going to be dramatically different from the treatment for a stroke (clot-busting drugs, usually) or giant cell arteritis (corticosteroids). For headaches or migraines, the treatment options tend to be more limited and consist of minimizing aggravating factors and taking painkiller medication if it helps, which doesn’t always happen. More specific treatment options may be possible depending on individual circumstances, which is why it’s always important to talk to your doctor about these matters. They will be most familiar with your medical circumstances and personal needs and can help you find an effective treatment.

When to Seek Medical Attention

In addition to the more problematic causes outlined above, headaches can also be the result of many benign causes, so it is easy to mistake something serious for something mild or vice-versa. A few general rules of thumb:

• Any severe headache that suddenly appears without warning or discernable cause should be brought to your doctor’s attention and needs to be checked out
• Persistent or recurrent headaches that undergo a change in frequency, severity, or steadily worsen should warrant a consult with your doctor
• Headaches that accompany red eyes, physical injury, visual disturbances (but isn’t a migraine), or cognitive/personality changes deserve immediate medical attention

Also Read:

Have you ever wondered what causes the sharp pain in the back of your head? Usually, headaches in the back of head are the result of stress, muscle tightness, tension, the overuse of medications, and tiredness. Sometimes a pain in the base of your skull can be caused by Occipital neuralgia which is a condition that affects the nerves that run from the top of the spinal cord up through the scalp.

Headaches may also be caused by more serious conditions like tumors or disease. If you start suffering from chronic pains in your head and have other symptoms like dizziness or nausea, you should always see a doctor.

The pain in the back of your head occurs when one or a combination of factors affect your brain. The Mayo Clinic says that these factors can be chemical activity in your brain, the nerves of blood vessels surrounding your skull, or the muscles at the back of the head and neck.¹ Also, some people are more prone to headaches than others.

Knowing what causes headaches can help you know how to manage or prevent the pain you experience in the back of your head.

What Causes Pain in the Back of the Head?

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are usually caused by some type of emotional stress or tiredness and start with a pain at the back of your head and move toward the front. The University of Maryland says that tension headaches cause pain in your neck, scalp, and head and can affect both the right and the left side of your head. ² People who suffer from tension headaches say that it feels as if there is a tight band across their head.

Dr. Neil S. Lava, who is a director of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Emory University, says that tension headaches are often caused by tight muscles at the back of the neck. Usually, factors like emotional stress, fatigue, hunger, low iron levels, and bad posture can cause this.³ Along with the pain in your head, you could also feel irritated and be sensitive to light or noise.

According to Dr. Lava, tension headaches don’t usually cause muscle weakness, nausea, blurred vision, or stomach pain.

Doctors recommend taking steps to manage stress and practice relaxation techniques to prevent a pain in the back of your head which is caused by tension headaches.

Neurologist, Dr. Joseph V. Campellone recommends using good posture when going about your daily activities. For example, if your job entails sitting at a desk all day, doing repetitive work or other close-up work, take some time out to exercise and stretch your neck and shoulders.⁴

Keeping a diary can also help you identify what triggers your tension headache and help you to identify if this is the cause of the pain in the back of your head.

To get some relief from a tension headache, you can try some relaxation techniques or gently massage your temples and the back of your neck. Pain medicine can also help, but doctors warn that the overuse of pain medication can also be a cause of headaches (rebound headaches).

If you are interested in ways to reduce stress naturally, please read my article about 14 effective natural remedies for stress and anxiety.

Tight Muscle Headaches (Stiff Neck Headache)

You may experience a sharp pain at the back of your head and neck along with stiffness in your neck and shoulders. This type of pain could be caused by injured or strained muscles.

Dr. William H. Bland on WebMD says that the main causes for tight muscles which cause pains in the back of the head and neck are:⁵

• Holding your head in one position for a long time.
• Sleeping with a pillow that doesn’t support your head properly.
• Tension caused by stress
• Injuring the neck or spine by tripping or being in an accident.

Having tight neck muscles can also cause sharp pains in the back of your head when you turn your head.

If the pain in the back of your head and neck is caused by muscle tightness, you can find out how to treat a stiff neck in one minute or less by reading my article on the subject.

Coughing Headaches

If you notice that you get a sharp pain in the back of your head when you cough, sneeze, blow your nose, or even bend over you could have what doctors call a “coughing headache.” The Mayo Clinic says that this can cause a sharp, stabbing pain in the back of your head.⁶ It is not known what causes coughing headaches.

The best way to prevent coughing headaches is to try and avoid whatever triggers it. So, keep yourself as healthy as possible to avoid colds, sneezing or any other action which can put pressure on your brain.

Migraine

Migraines can cause severe headaches starting around the eyes and temple and then the pain can spread to the back of the head. Migraines can also cause neck pain and tingling sensation in your head.

Very often migraines are preceded by aura – flashing lights, partial loss of vision, numbness, pins and needles, and possibly speech problems. The migraine can be accompanied by blurred vision, poor concentration, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea and vomiting. The Michigan Headache & Neurological Institute says that for most people “a migraine is a distinct and familiar event with predictable duration and resolution.”⁷

Doctors believe that changes in the brain’s blood flow and nerve cell activity causes migraines. Migraines can be triggered by stress, hormonal factors, depression, certain foods, muscle tension, caffeine, and fatigue. Sometimes, environmental factors like flickering lights, changes in the weather and strong smells can trigger migraines.⁸

I’ve also mentioned that migraines can be caused by a certain common nutritional deficiency.

To prevent migraines, most doctors recommend trying to avoid whatever triggers your migraines. You can also read my article on how to naturally relieve migraines.

Basilar Migraines

If you have dizziness, double vision and a lack of coordination before you get severe pains in your head, then you could suffer from basilar migraines. Dr. Colin Tidy on Patient.info says that basilar-type migraine causes headaches at the back of the head.⁹ The pain at the back of your head can be throbbing or pulsating.

The causes of basilar migraines are similar to a regular migraine.

Occasional Pain On Right Side

Occipital Neuralgia and Pain at the Base of Skull

A sharp jabbing pain that feels like an electric shock at the back of your head could be a symptom of occipital neuralgia. You may also find that your scalp is tender to touch and even a simple task like brushing your hair can cause pain. This type of pain can be caused by inflammation in the nerves at the back of your head.

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) says that occipital neuralgia causes pain in the base of skull which usually radiates to just one side of the head, but can often be felt on both sides of the head.¹⁰

To help ease the pain caused by occipital neuralgia, AANS recommends using gentle heat treatments and rest for headache relief. A soothing massage can also help to get rid of the headache pain caused by occipital neuralgia. You can also use essential oils to relieve the pain.

Doctors treat occipital neuralgia and migraines differently, so it’s important to know your symptoms to get the appropriate treatment for your headaches.

Exercise Headaches

Some people experience throbbing pains in the back of their head when working out or lifting weights. You may find that after jogging you suffer from headaches. Exercise headaches usually happen because the blood vessels at the back of the head and neck dilate and cause pain.

Dr. Laura J. Martin on WebMD says that there is usually nothing to worry about with exercise headaches and that they respond well to pain-relief medication.¹¹ However, if your exercise headaches have recently started and are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, a stiff neck, loss of consciousness and/or double vision, you should contact a doctor immediately.¹²

Sometimes, you can prevent headaches that are associated with exercising by warming up before working out, running, or exercising.

Sharp Pain in the Back of Head After Sex

Many people joke about the connection of headaches and sexual activity. However, any kind of sexual activity can cause a dull pain in the back of your head and neck that increases with sexual excitement.

The British Journal of Medical Practitioners describes this condition as “headaches associated with sexual activity” (HSA).¹³ Although HSA is harmless, it can have a negative impact on both partners because of a fear that sex will lead to a severe headache.

Occasional Pain In Chest

If you suffer from headaches during sex, open communication between you and your partner can help to alleviate any fears associated with headaches and sexual activity. Sometimes, taking a more passive role can help prevent headaches during sex.

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Severe bouts of shooting or jabbing pain in and around the head, face, and back of the neck can be a symptom of trigeminal neuralgia. The pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia has been described as “the most unbearably painful human condition.”¹³

The trigeminal nerve sits at the base of the brain and if an artery or vein puts pressure on it, the result is severe pain along the length of the nerve. Usually, the pain is felt on just one side of the face around the jaw, lips, gums, and cheek but it can also extend to the back of the head and neck.

Giant Cell Arteritis (Temporal Arteritis)

Left Side Head Pain

A headache which develops suddenly in the top, temples or back of the head and is tender to touch could be caused by giant cell arteritis (an inflammation of blood vessels in and around the scalp). You also may notice that your temples are swollen. This causes excruciating pain in the head and usually painkillers are ineffective at treating the pain.

Occasional Head Pain Meaning

Headaches are the main symptoms of giant cell arteritis and they occur because the arteries in the head become inflamed.

If you suspect you have giant cell arteritis, the UK’s National Health Service advise people to visit their doctor as soon as possible because early treatment is essential to prevent further serious complications.¹⁴

Occasional Pain In Eye

Arthritis Headache

Arthritis sufferers often have headaches in the back of the head and neck. Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Peter F. Ullrich says that the inflammation in the facet joints in the cervical spine between the shoulders and base of the head causes pain at the back of the head.¹⁶

Although arthritis can be a difficult condition to treat and manage, there are many natural remedies for arthritis that can help you find relief from arthritic pain.

Rebound Headache (Medication Overuse Headache)

If you suffer from headaches and you have to regularly take pain-relief medication you could be suffering from rebound headaches or Medication Overuse Headaches. The Michigan Headache & Neurological Institute (MHNI) says that even regularly taking analgesic medications 3 times a week can cause rebound headaches.¹⁷

MHNI recommends stopping taking analgesics regularly to break the cycle of headaches caused by the overuse of medication. At first, this may cause the pain to get worse; however, after stopping taking pain-relief medication most people feel a dramatic improvement in pain.

Occasional Sharp Head Pain

There are several ways that can help you get rid of headaches naturally and reduce the pain that they cause.

Brain Tumor

On some occasions, a sharp pain in the back of your head can be a symptom of a brain tumor. However, this is rarely the only symptom of severe pains in your head.

Neurologist, Dr. Alicai R. Prestegaard says that generally headaches that are occasional, mild, of short duration and caused by identifiable factors are not a cause for concern. It is also very rare that a headache alone is a symptom of a brain tumor.¹⁸

You should visit a doctor if you have noticed a change in the frequency and intensity of your headaches.

When to Consult a Doctor

A sharp, throbbing pain in the back of your head is usually harmless and can be managed well. However, as I’ve mentioned in this article, headaches and neck pain can be symptoms of more serious health conditions.

However, you may ask: “when should I call a doctor if I have a pain in the back of my head?” The National Headache Foundation recommends visiting a healthcare professional if you have any of the following conditions:¹⁹

• Frequent headaches that are severe and come on quickly
• Your headaches are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, confusion, fever, slurred speech, stiff neck, vision loss, frequent bouts of diarrhea.
• You have constant throbbing pains in your head that get worse or won’t stop.
• Headaches are affecting your daily activities.
• You have a headache following a head injury.
• You have to take pain-relief medication more than 2 days a week.
• The symptoms of your migraine headaches change.

Read these related articles:
1. Top 15 Causes of Headaches and How to Get Rid of Them Naturally
2. Tingling in Head: Causes and Possible Treatments
3. Seven Types of Pain You should Never Ignore
4. The Best Essential Oils For Migraines and Headaches