The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a study that showed about half of adults have had a headache in the past year. One type of headache you may have experienced is a headache on top of your head, which are also called skullcap headaches. These headaches are a form of tension headache, and they can be caused by many factors. There are two muscle groups in your neck that can cause skullcap headaches. 

1.   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, and this allows you to do things like touch your ear to your shoulder. 

Tension in these muscles can lead to a headache on top of your head, and this tension can build up in several ways. For instance, people who perform repetitive head movements are at risk of this form of tension. Also, holding a phone against your shoulder for long periods of time can lead to tension in the suboccipital muscles. This means that workers who talk on the phone a lot while typing, such as administrative assistants, should be careful with how much they use this posture. 

2.   Splenius muscles

The splenius muscles are a second group of neck muscles that can cause headaches on top of the head. There are four muscles in this group. This includes two splenius cervicis muscles and two splenius capitis muscles. 

These four 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, the muscles may be injured in a car accident or from collisions while playing sports. Consistently poor neck posture can also increase the tension in these muscles, and this is becoming more and more common thanks to handheld devices. 

Rehab Access can help you find relief for headaches on top of the head

The residents in and around Belle Chasse and Gretna, Louisiana, can count on Rehab Access for help with skullcap headaches. Our experienced team of physical therapists can create a personalized treatment plan for these tension headaches. Your plan may include many therapy techniques, such as: 

• Therapeutic exercises and stretches
• Ergonomic recommendations
• Aquatic therapy
• Manual therapy
• Electrical stimulation
• Dry needling

Take the next step to reduce the frequency of your headaches. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an appointment.