Headaches at the base of your skull or top of your spine

Headaches at the top of the spine can be caused by a number of different factors. Commonly the pain is triggered by tension in the neck and shoulders. Frequently patients display tenderness about the neck, the base of the skull, and in some cases, the scalp, forehead, jaw and face. Very commonly the shoulders and upper arms are implicated. 

Where headaches are caused by pain referred from the neck and shoulders osteopathic remedies are particularly effective and can bring rapid relief 

Common Causes

• Poor posture
• Sedentary working practices
• Lack of exercise

Treatments

• Avoidance and exercises to promote blood flow to the sub-occipital muscles at the base of the skull
• Analyse your posture to ensure you are sitting as upright as possible (i.e., not sitting forward in a "hunched" position) - if necessary seeking assistance from an osteopath
• Osteopathic treatment is recommended if movement remains restricted after a few days or if you suffer from bouts of stiffness on a regular or not infrequent basis

The content of this page is informed by feedback from practices in London and also a practitioner in Birmingham. Further input was received from clinics in Luton and osteopathic practitioners in Glasgow. Finally a contribution was made by osteopaths in the Oxford area