What you may feel
- Shooting or electric pain from the upper neck towards the back of the head.
- Pain may spread over the scalp towards the crown or behind an eye.
- Combing the hair or resting on a pillow may hurt the scalp.
- Brief attacks may alternate with a background ache.
- Certain neck movements or pressure near the nerve may provoke pain.
How it is assessed
Examination checks the neck and nerve area. Other headache causes are assessed from the history.
Record the pain location, attack duration and frequency, possible triggers and medicines used. Mention previous dental or other procedures.
Approaches to care
Care may include neck rehabilitation, pain treatment and a diagnostic or therapeutic block in selected cases.
Track not only pain intensity but attack frequency and impact on daily life. Review medication changes and treatment response with your clinician.
When to seek urgent help
A sudden unusually severe headache, new speech or vision problems, weakness, altered consciousness, or a stiff neck with fever need emergency care.
Further reading: Johns Hopkins Medicine
This is educational information and does not replace an individual medical assessment. Similar symptoms alone do not establish a diagnosis.