What Causes Neck Pain and Headaches at the Back of the Head? Treatment Options in Shelton, CT

September 09, 2021•11 min read

Person sitting in a clinic exam room with a doctor gently examining their neck and upper spine, soft natural light, calm and professional setting

Neck pain is common.

Headaches are common too.

But when neck pain and headaches happen together — especially headaches that start at the base of the skull or back of the head — it usually means something needs attention.

Sometimes the problem comes from muscle tension, poor posture, screen time, stress, or sleeping awkwardly.

Other times, neck pain and headaches may be related to arthritis, disc problems, nerve irritation, occipital neuralgia, whiplash, or poor movement in the cervical spine.

At Connecticut Disc and Laser Therapy Centers in Shelton, CT, we evaluate patients dealing with neck pain, headaches, upper neck stiffness, pain at the base of the skull, nerve irritation, disc problems, and chronic spine-related pain that has not improved with rest, stretching, medications, massage, physical therapy, or simply “waiting it out.”

The good news?

Not every case of neck pain or headaches requires injections, surgery, or long-term medication.

For many patients, advanced non-surgical treatment may help reduce inflammation, improve mobility, calm irritated tissues, and support better function.

In this article, we’ll explain:

what may cause neck pain and headaches
why headaches may start at the base of the skull
how arthritis, discs, and nerves may contribute
warning signs you should not ignore
non-surgical treatment options in Shelton, CT
when to schedule an evaluation

1. Can Neck Problems Cause Headaches?

Yes.

Neck problems can contribute to headaches.

These are often called cervicogenic headaches, meaning the headache is related to a problem coming from the neck.

Many patients describe this type of pain as:

“My headache starts in the back of my head.”

Or:

“It feels like the pain starts at the base of my skull and travels upward.”

Neck-related headaches may involve:

pain at the base of the skull
pain behind the eyes
pain into the temples
pain across the forehead
upper neck stiffness
tightness in the shoulders
limited neck motion
pain that worsens with posture
pain after computer work
pain after driving
headaches that keep returning

If your main symptom is neck pain, you can learn more about our approach on the Neck Pain Treatment in Shelton, CT page.

📌 Key Takeaway: Headaches at the back of the head may come from irritation in the neck, especially when they happen with stiffness, tight muscles, or limited movement.

2. Arthritis in the Neck

Arthritis can affect the joints in the neck.

This may cause stiffness, inflammation, reduced motion, and pain that refers into the back of the head.

Neck arthritis may feel worse:

first thing in the morning
after sitting too long
after computer work
when turning the head
during weather changes
after sleeping awkwardly
with prolonged driving

Common symptoms of neck arthritis may include:

neck stiffness
reduced range of motion
aching pain
headaches at the base of the skull
pain into the upper back
cracking or grinding
muscle tightness
flare-ups after activity

Arthritis does not automatically mean surgery is the only option.

Many patients with arthritis-related neck pain want to explore conservative treatment first, especially when symptoms are affecting sleep, work, driving, or daily life.

📌 Key Takeaway: Neck arthritis can irritate the joints and soft tissues in the cervical spine, which may contribute to headaches at the back of the head.

3. Herniated Discs and Nerve Irritation

A herniated disc happens when disc material pushes outward and irritates nearby nerves.

In the neck, this can cause local neck pain, headaches, and symptoms that travel into the shoulder, arm, or hand.

Symptoms of a cervical disc problem may include:

neck pain
pain at the base of the skull
headaches
pain into the shoulder blade
pain traveling into the arm
numbness or tingling
weakness in the arm or hand
burning or electric pain
pain that worsens with certain neck positions

Some patients say:

“My neck hurts, but now I’m getting pain or tingling down my arm.”

That can be a sign that nerves may be involved.

For certain disc-related conditions, Spinal Decompression Therapy may be considered as part of a non-surgical treatment plan.

📌 Key Takeaway: If neck pain comes with numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain traveling into the arm, the nerves may be involved and the condition should be evaluated.

4. Occipital Neuralgia and Pain at the Base of the Skull

Occipital neuralgia happens when the occipital nerves become irritated.

These nerves travel from the upper neck into the back of the head and scalp.

When irritated, they may cause sharp, shooting, burning, or electric-like pain.

Occipital neuralgia symptoms may include:

sharp pain at the base of the skull
pain traveling into the scalp
pain on one side or both sides of the head
tenderness at the back of the head
pain triggered by head movement
burning or shooting pain
sensitivity in the scalp

Not every headache at the back of the head is occipital neuralgia.

But if the pain feels sharp, electric, or nerve-like, it should be evaluated.

Treatment depends on what is irritating the nerve.

That may involve joint dysfunction, muscle tension, inflammation, prior injury, or postural strain.

5. Muscle Strain and Tension

Muscle tension is one of the most common causes of neck pain and headaches.

The muscles at the base of the skull, neck, shoulders, and upper back can become tight and irritated from daily stress and posture.

Common triggers include:

poor posture
long hours at a computer
looking down at a phone
sleeping awkwardly
stress
jaw tension
driving
lifting
exercise strain
whiplash
lack of movement

Muscle-related headaches often feel like tightness, pressure, aching, or a band-like sensation.

They may worsen after a long workday or after sitting in one position too long.

The mistake is assuming muscle tension is always simple.

Sometimes tight muscles are protecting irritated joints, nerves, or discs.

So if it keeps coming back, the deeper cause needs to be identified.

6. Poor Posture and Text Neck

Screen time is a major neck pain trigger.

Phones, tablets, laptops, and desk work often pull the head forward.

This is commonly called text neck or tech neck.

When the head moves forward, the muscles in the neck and upper back have to work harder to support it.

Over time, this may contribute to:

neck tightness
upper back pain
shoulder tension
headaches at the base of the skull
reduced neck motion
muscle fatigue
pain after sitting
pain while driving
pain after computer work

The solution is not just “sit up straight.”

That advice is too simple.

The real question is why your neck is not tolerating your daily posture.

Sometimes the issue is muscular.

Sometimes it is joint-related.

Sometimes it involves discs or nerves.

Often, it is a combination.

You can also read more aboutText Neck and Tablet Neck Pain, if that page is active.

7. Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore

Most neck pain and headaches are not emergencies.

But some symptoms should be taken seriously.

You should consider a professional evaluation if you have:

headaches that keep returning
neck pain lasting more than a few days
stiffness that is getting worse
pain at the base of the skull
headaches after a car accident
headaches after a fall
pain traveling into the shoulder or arm
numbness or tingling
weakness in the arm or hand
dizziness
limited neck motion
pain that affects sleep
headaches that worsen with computer work
headaches that are becoming more frequent
neck pain that has not improved with prior treatment

These symptoms may suggest joint irritation, nerve involvement, muscle guarding, disc irritation, or another condition that should be evaluated.

⚠️ Important: Seek urgent medical care if you experience sudden severe headache, confusion, loss of consciousness, chest pain, shortness of breath, facial drooping, slurred speech, severe weakness, vision loss, fever with neck stiffness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or symptoms that feel like a medical emergency.

8. Non-Surgical Treatment Options in Shelton, CT

At Connecticut Disc and Laser Therapy Centers, we focus on advanced non-surgical treatment options for neck pain, headaches, upper neck stiffness, nerve irritation, disc problems, soft tissue pain, and musculoskeletal conditions.

Treatment depends on what is actually causing the symptoms.

The goal is not to use the same treatment plan for every neck pain or headache patient.

The goal is to identify what is driving the pain and build the plan around that.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care may help improve spinal mobility, reduce stiffness, and address joint dysfunction that may contribute to neck pain and headaches.

For neck-related headaches, chiropractic care may focus on:

upper cervical mobility
neck joint motion
upper back stiffness
muscle guarding
postural stress
reduced range of motion
headaches related to neck dysfunction

Treatment should always be based on the patient’s symptoms, examination findings, and tolerance.

The goal is to restore better motion and reduce irritation without forcing the body beyond what it can handle.

MLS Laser Therapy

MLS Laser Therapy uses specific wavelengths of light designed to penetrate deeper tissues and support healing at the cellular level.

For neck pain and headache-related muscle tension, MLS Laser Therapy may help:

reduce inflammation
decrease pain
improve circulation
calm irritated soft tissues
support tissue recovery
reduce stiffness
improve mobility

MLS Laser Therapy is non-invasive, comfortable, and requires no downtime.

It may be used when muscles, ligaments, tendons, or other soft tissues remain irritated.

emField Pro High Energy Inductive Therapy

emField Pro High Energy Inductive Therapy, also known as HEIT, uses high-intensity electromagnetic energy to stimulate deeper tissues.

For the right neck pain patient, HEIT may help support:

deep tissue stimulation
muscle activation
circulation
mobility
pain reduction
soft tissue recovery
reduction of muscle spasm

This can be especially helpful when deeper muscle tightness, soft tissue irritation, or chronic guarding is part of the problem.

HEIT is not the same as simple surface stimulation.

It is designed to reach deeper tissues and may be used as part of a broader non-surgical treatment plan.

Spinal Decompression Therapy

For certain patients with disc-related neck pain or nerve irritation, Spinal Decompression Therapy may also be considered.

This may be appropriate when symptoms involve:

disc-related neck pain
bulging discs
herniated discs
nerve irritation
pain traveling into the shoulder or arm
numbness or tingling
degenerative disc problems

Not every neck pain or headache patient needs spinal decompression.

But when disc pressure or nerve irritation is part of the problem, it may be an important non-surgical option.

Conservative Neck and Posture Care

Depending on the patient, treatment may also include:

gentle mobility work
soft tissue therapy
posture recommendations
desk setup advice
driving-position recommendations
home care guidance
activity modification
stretching and strengthening guidance
gradual return to normal movement

The goal is to help the neck and upper back tolerate daily life better.

That means sitting, driving, working, sleeping, exercising, and moving with less pain.

9. When Should You Get Checked?

You should consider scheduling an evaluation if your neck pain or headaches:

last more than a few days
keep returning
are getting worse
start at the base of the skull
limit neck motion
make driving uncomfortable
affect sleep
worsen with computer work
cause pain into the shoulder or arm
cause numbness or tingling
have not improved with rest
started after a car accident or fall
are starting to affect your quality of life

The earlier neck pain and headaches are evaluated, the more conservative options patients often have.

Waiting until symptoms become severe or chronic can make treatment more complicated.

10. Why Patients in Shelton Choose Connecticut Disc and Laser Therapy Centers

Patients often come to our office after trying:

rest
ice
heat
medications
stretching
massage
physical therapy
injections
generic exercises
new pillows
“wait and see”

Many are frustrated because they still have neck pain, headaches, stiffness, upper back tightness, or limited movement.

At Connecticut Disc and Laser Therapy Centers in Shelton, CT, we focus on advanced non-surgical care for neck pain, headaches, back pain, disc conditions, nerve irritation, soft tissue injuries, joint pain, and musculoskeletal conditions.

Our goal is to help patients reduce pain, improve mobility, and explore conservative treatment options whenever possible.

You can learn more about Dr. James J. Dalfino and his clinical background on our website.

Bottom Line

Neck pain and headaches at the back of the head are common, but they should not be ignored when they keep returning, limit movement, affect sleep, or interfere with daily life.

The key is finding out what is actually causing the pain.

At Connecticut Disc and Laser Therapy Centers in Shelton, CT, we help patients explore advanced non-surgical options designed to reduce pain, improve mobility, calm irritated tissues, and support better function whenever possible.

New Patient Special — $99

Comprehensive Consultation, Examination, Report of Findings, and First Treatment Included.

Connecticut Disc and Laser Therapy Centers
Dr. James J. Dalfino
2 Trap Falls Road | Suite 208 | Shelton, CT 06484
Office: 203-922-9277
Website: Connecticut Disc and Laser Therapy Centers

causes of neck pain Shelton CT neck pain headaches Shelton CT neck pain at base of skull headache back of head neck pain cervicogenic headache Shelton CT occipital neuralgia symptoms herniated disc neck symptoms neck arthritis pain text neck symptoms non-surgical neck pain treatment MLS laser therapy HEIT therapy

Dr. James J. Dalfino

Dr. James J. Dalfino is the president and clinic director of Connecticut Disc and Laser Therapy Centers in Shelton, CT. He has over 25 years experience treating chronic conditions from neck and lower back pain, shoulder and knee pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, hip pain, and plantar fasciitis, to name a few.