What are the causes of headaches in the back of my head and neck?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Headaches in the back of the head and neck are often caused by cervicogenic headaches, a condition that originates from issues in the cervical spine (neck). Other common causes include tension headaches, occipital neuralgia, poor posture, muscle strain, and migraines. Because the underlying cause directly affects treatment, identifying the source of your pain is essential to finding relief.

If you're experiencing persistent or recurring pain in the back of your head or neck, don't guess — get clarity. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be causing your symptoms and receive personalized guidance on next steps. It's fast, private, and could help you make more informed decisions about your health.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Various different health conditions can cause headaches that occur in the back of the head and neck. One possibility is a health condition called cervicogenic headaches.

Understanding Cervicogenic Headaches:

These headaches start in the neck and can move to the head.
The neck and head share nerves, so problems in one area can affect the other.

Other potential causes of these symptoms are tension in the muscles of the neck and back of the head, as well as a condition called occipital neuralgia (which tends to cause sharp pain). If you have frequent, severe, and/or worsening headaches, you can check your symptoms with a free AI-powered symptom checker to help identify possible causes, and talk to a healthcare provider to find out the cause and get the right treatment.

(References)

Vincent MB. (2011). Headache and neck. Current pain and headache reports, 21465114.
Biondi DM. (2001). Cervicogenic headache: diagnostic evaluation and .... Current pain and headache reports, 11403740.
Bogduk N. (2001). Cervicogenic headache: anatomic basis and .... Current pain and headache reports, 11403743.

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