Headaches are an all-too-common part of life for many of us, often feeling like they’re coming from behind the eyes or above our jaw muscles that might be a little clenched. But sometimes they peak right at the top of the skull in a painful condition known as top of head headaches, skullcap headaches, or vertex headaches.
Understanding the causes, symptoms, remedies, and prevention strategies for headaches in general, and top of head headaches in particular, can help you manage and reduce this pain effectively.
What causes headaches?
Headaches can come on for a number of reasons, but when you’re experiencing top of head pain every week or more often, you may be able to find a pattern with your activities or environment that triggers the condition.
Common causes for headaches, including vertex headaches, include the following.
Tension and stress
Tension headaches are one of the most common causes of all kinds of headaches. Stress can lead to muscle tightness in the scalp, neck, and shoulders, which can radiate upward to create pain at the crown of your head.
Poor posture
Working long hours at a desk or hunching over a phone can strain the muscles around your neck and upper back, contributing to pain on top of the head. Poor posture can also compress nerves, worsening the discomfort.
Underlying disorders
Some sufferers of headaches have underlying conditions that make the condition more likely to recur. Seeing your primary care provider for regular, recurring headaches despite at-home interventions might reveal the root cause of the pain.
How can I treat headache pain on top of head?
Poor posture and tension are key drivers of headache pain that builds up over time. Finding ways to relax specific parts of your neck, shoulders, and head can help relieve headaches, especially if you know exactly where these muscles are located.
Muscles that cause top of head headaches
When looking for an effective way to get rid of and prevent a painful headache, there are two key muscle groups to keep in mind: suboccipital muscles and splenius muscles.
Suboccipital muscles
The suboccipital muscles are a group of four muscles in your neck. They connect the top two vertebrae of the spine to the bottom of the skull. These muscles are responsible for turning your head to one side or the other, such as when you look over your shoulder. They also allow the head to be tilted to the side.
Carrying tension in these muscles can cause a headache on top of your head, and this tension can build up in several ways. Postures and repetitive head movements such as holding a phone against your shoulder for long periods of time can strain these muscles.
Splenius muscles
The splenius muscles are a second group of four neck muscles that can cause headaches on top of the head. They are comprised of two splenius cervicis muscles and two splenius capitis muscles.
These muscles run up the sides of the neck from between the shoulder blades to just below the skull. They are responsible for several types of movement, including extending the neck when looking down and twisting the neck. These muscles also help support the neck and the weight of the head.
There are several factors that can lead to increased splenius muscle tension and skullcap headaches. For instance, they may be damaged from playing contact sports or whiplash. Consistently poor neck posture can also increase the tension in these muscles.
Treating headaches without medication
Many people instinctively reach for over-the-counter painkillers when they feel a headache coming on, but when these don’t work, or if you’re worried you may be relying too much on medication, the principles of physical therapy can help.
Relaxation techniques
Stress reduction throughout the day can help reduce the severity of tension headaches. Techniques include:
- Deep breathing: Breathe slowly and deeply to relax your body.
- Meditation and yoga: These practices combine mindfulness and gentle movement to release tension.
Apply heat or cold
- Cold compress: Place an ice pack wrapped in a cloth on the top of your head to reduce inflammation and numb the area slightly.
- Warm compress: Apply heat to loosen tight neck and shoulder muscles contributing to the pain.
Stay hydrated
Drink water immediately if dehydration could be the culprit. Aim for at least eight glasses of water a day and avoid caffeine and alcohol when you’re experiencing a headache, since these diuretics can worsen dehydration-related headaches.
Stretch and move
Stand up, stretch, and gently rotate your neck and shoulders to release tension:
- Perform mini stretches during prolonged desk work to prevent stiffness.
- Try relaxing exercises like shoulder rolls or chin tucks.
Adjust your environment
Bright lights or noisy surroundings can exacerbate headaches. Dim the lights, close your eyes, and rest in a quiet area when you can.
Personalized headache treatments at Rehab Access Physical Therapy
With a little awareness, you can make small, manageable changes today, and start feeling the relief that’s within reach. But if you’ve tried everything and still can’t get rid of the top of head pain that disrupts your routine day in and day out, our physical therapists may be able to help.
Start a conversation with our team about the principles of physical therapy that might finally make the difference in your headache treatment by calling one of our clinics or by requesting an appointment online today.
