Tension in the back of your head is often linked to muscle contractions in the neck and scalp, commonly associated with tension headaches.
Understanding Tension in the Back of Your Head
According to research, tension headaches occur when neck and scalp muscles become tense or contract. This muscle tension can manifest as a feeling of tightness or pressure, often felt around the head, including the back.
Common Causes Based on Research
The muscle contractions leading to tension in the back of your head can be a response to several factors. Based on available information, key contributors include:
- Stress: Both emotional and physical stress can cause muscles to tighten, leading to discomfort and tension headaches.
- Depression: Psychological factors like depression can influence physical sensations, including muscle tension.
- Head Injury: Past head injuries may contribute to chronic muscle tension or headache issues.
- Anxiety: Similar to stress, anxiety can trigger a physical response that includes muscle contraction in the head and neck area.
These factors can cause the muscles to remain in a contracted state, resulting in the persistent feeling of tension you might experience.
Who is Affected?
Tension headaches, which involve this type of muscle tension, can occur at any age. However, they are most common in:
- Adults and older teens
- Are slightly more common in women
- Tend to run in families
Understanding these potential causes from the reference is key to addressing the tension you might be feeling.
