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Sharp Throbbing pain in the back of my head

I may think it's an occipital headaches but I could be wrong. I am 31 years old female who loves to exercise to the extreme. I am very into fitness and as a matter of fact I'm considering joining a fitness competition next year. However, early last week I was under a lot of stress and confusion on my life since my company is moving to another city and I am considering to move to the city instead of commuting to the new place for at least 1 /12 hours drive vs. to a 30minutes ride on the train . I’ve also has some issues with my friends and perhaps its adding stress for my part.

So one day, as I was doing dips for my warm-up when suddenly I felt like someone had punched me on the left lower back of my head...sharp pain exist followed by a throb with a scalp pain. I couldn't concentrate nor focus to my workout. I ignore the headache and thought it will go a way because I wanted to lift weights on a heavy set. A throbbing pain followed right after I lift a 40lbs. dumbbells and made my workout messed up really bad. The throb went a way after I rested for 5-10minutes, so I thought it was just temporary pain I again tempted to lift heavy but the ache came back which causes me to stop my workout. The pain disappears after 20minutes. However, in the evening I couldn't sleep due to the pain. The pain occurred in 3 consecutive days and lasted for about 10minutes again this happens when I try to lift weights.

I do not understand why I feel such pain. I made my research but I'm not sure if my assumption is right on the dot. Base on my research and the pain that targeting my head is on the occipital lobe area- it does consists of jabbing pain in the distribution of the greater of lesser occipital nerve. Today, the pain shoots up to the left upper back of my head. I don't understand and it's not very pleasant feeling knowing that exercising is my passion to do yet the pain preventing me to concentrate and lift heavy than I usually do. Please help! I am going to see my physicians but I am thinking to see my Optometrist first to see how she can determine and give me knowledge if I'm referring is Occipital part of the head.

According to my other research on this study, standing for a long period of time can cause this headache and as well as being on the computer for long period of time. Well my profession is to seat all day in front of the computer, however since I don't like to seat around I stand in front of my computer and type. I'm not sure if this has something to do with it or I'm assuming it too much. Please help and let me know what will be the close study of my matter.

Thank you and have a great day!
46 Responses
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Avatar universal
I'm experiencing the same thing.  Every time I work out of when I take the stairs at work, which is 3 flights of stairs or if I'm stress about something I have this throbbing pain in the back of my head.  Today I was at the gym in a class and it started, I had to walk out because I couldn't focus it was hurting so bad. I'm kind of worried about it.  I'm debating on going to the ER or an Urgent Care.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Mitch,  My husband is dealing with the same.  I am hoping since this is a few years later you have found relief.  My husband does Accupuncture and also Myofascial Release (only found that someone trained under john barnes are effective, they have a website to find people that are trained)
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Avatar universal
Hi Doc. I'm 40/F,
I sometimes sleep late and really have less sleep. I normally sleep at 10pm. I wake up at 12midnight and 3am to make milk for my 2yr old toddler boy who is always hungry even in the middle of the night. d other night, i packed a Large Balik bayan box till 2am.
Just today, 1pm, I feel so much pain at the back of my head for 5 hours now  and also on the top of my head and my forehead, sometimes my nape too. I think I will die... I checked google, maybe it is occipital headache. Is it serious?
I hope I can get your reply asap.
Thanks a lot and God bless.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello.  I am a 49 yr old female who has a computer job, 50 hours a week for 10 years.  Since starting this job I have 2 migraines on the right side of my head lasting 2 days.  Cannot move, eat or sleep.  Nothing helps the pain.  I have told doctors but they really do not address them.  But now I am in so much pain.  I have the throbbing in my temples and back of head, neck, arms, legs, back,constantly for 6 days.  This pain is from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet.  When I put any strain on my body, or put my head lower than my heart the throbbing intensifies to where I think my temples will explode.  My lower back and back under ribs are aching like flu symtoms in my muscles.  It feels like my muscles are tearing.  Some of my symptoms are like scyatica while also having flu body aches and a throbbing headache.  This headache is nothing like my migraines.  Entire brain and base of neck.  I am being 'treated' for fibromyalgia, fatigue, migraines. My blood pressure is fine each time it is tested.  The pain wakes me up 2-3 times a night, and when I wake the pain is a 9, later in the day it is 9.  During the day, I cannot exert myself without head pain and as the day progresses it worsens.  Cold, driving my car,(bumps) are painful to my entire body.  Cant move my head L-R forward w/o pain.  I have not gone to the dr because I was in for my regular check up 3/5/14.  I thought it would go away.  I get a little relief by taking 2 advil and 2 percocet.  But I normally take 1-2 percocet a day at bed time and mid day for fibromialgia pain.  Do you see anything in my symptoms that screams to a specific diagnosis?  Thx/djpohio
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Avatar universal
thank you because i had the same thing and i am only 13. is it a problem even if i am 13?
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Avatar universal
I too have this problem- I'm a 17 year old female currently studying my last year, so it could be stress induced- I feel the pain on the low right of the back of my head. I also do alot of exercise.
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Avatar universal
I read through all these posts and I don't think anyone mentioned sleep position. If your head is contorted in a weird way night after night this will contribute to neck and head pain. Try a cervical or even a dog bone pillow.
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Avatar universal
i am 55 m, a professional engineer, father of 4.  I;ve had these headaches on the left side of ny brain, keeping me up at night and actually I have no life!  It's 4am and I'm writing this, the pain is killing me and I have seen 3 different doctors to absolutely no avail.  MRI, normal, all vitals normal.  I don't know what to do.  If someone can help, please do.  Thanks.
,
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Avatar universal
Hey, im also 17 and i was doing leg press and the i got a sudden pain in the back on my head, i went home after having the pain continued, 2 days later i went back to the gym and did bench my and the pain began to come back. I noticed it was posted in 2009 and now is 2012, did u find a solution or help because im a little worried and love going to the gym and this is ruined my workout twice. So If you or anyone could give me some advice i would REALLY be thankful.
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Avatar universal
B_C
Just make sure to drink a lot of water daily.  Whenever I don't drink much water, I get that feeling pain in the back of my head too.
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Avatar universal
i have the same problem but im 17. when i try to work out.. in the first 2 mins.. i just feel my head bagging like if someone punshed me on the back of my head. can anyone help me out?
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Avatar universal
Hello, my husband is having a throbbing ache in the back of his head (lower left side), he can't  sleep tonight cause is so bad, he complains of his body getting hot, then he gets cold, ( room temperature is cold pleasant in The room)  he has being under a lot of stress at working, worked many hours in front the computer, had high blood blood pressure in the past, slightly high cholesterol, and a bit overweight. Cam this be dangerous?
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Avatar universal
I too was doing dips but when i was heading to failure i did not land on the heighted platform but came on the floor with my hands still holding the bars. so my shoulders were like a "V". Immediately after i let go i felt a sharp pain behind my neck which induced a serious head irritation. I felt all my veins pulsing also behind my neck was hurting. After some time it eased up and i also like yourself started to lift some dumbbells. I was doing dumbbell presses and as i brought my hands down i felt the pain intensify again. I finished my routine through the pain.......
A few days later i was not feeling the pain. When i started to work my arms again the pain came back but when i used heavy weights. This was worrying. I gave myself a little break and then a few days again tried to exercise with the same results. I decided to go to a chiropractor. He explained to me about the bones behind the neck area and said that if it were muscle that was damaged i would have had limited flexibility. I had no problems in that aspect. He then told me that the problem was a CERVICAL STRAIN. The ligaments were damaged and i now had to do therapy. As of today i am on my second treatment which includes electricial stimulation of the muscles and ultrasound massage. I have 6 more sessions remaining. Hope the info was helpful
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
How are you? Are there other symptoms present? The outlook after a surgery for chiari malformation usually depends on the severity of symptoms and how long they existed prior to surgery. I agree with your husband that you need to have this checked by your doctor for proper evalaution. The ache in your head may be attributed to various issues that needs to be checked by your doctor. The chiari forum here in medhelp may also be helpful: http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Chiari-Malformation/show/257
Take care and do keep us posted.
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Avatar universal
thank you all for your comments it made me feel like i'm not going crazy. i have had  migraines since age 15 i am 51. i also have had surgery for chi-cari malformation, i recently started having this dull ache in the back lower left side of my head. of course you always think the worse, per my husband advice i am making an appointment on monday.
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Avatar universal
this is most definitely because of too many hours in front of the computer. also bad posture. try to breath when you exercise, as much as possible. when i am experiencing this headache, i find if i bring my head below my heart lvl, the pain gets far worse. so more blood pressure in the head...obvioulsy makes the pain worse.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
How are you? Exertion headaches may be triggered with both passive and active exertions. Active exertions include running, jumping, and even sexual intercourse. Although majority of these occur together with migraine or cluster headache, some can be due to organic issues such as blood vessel malformation. You may benefit from further evaluation by your doctor or a referral to a neurologist. It is important to determine the underlying cause for proper management. Take care and regards.
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Avatar universal
Please, nobody make fun of me, because I am very concerned about this. Anyhow, here goes, I get this very intense sharp shooting pain in the back of my head when I am making love to my wife, it is most intense when I climax and is so bad I have to stop. The rest of the time, when not engaged in this activity I have a constant dull throbbing pain in the back of my head. I am in my mid 40's and don't have any major health problems other than cholesterol a little high and a little overweight.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
Your symptoms indeed can be caused by exertion headache and I recommend that you have this checked by your doctor for proper evaluation. Imaging studies will also help rule out anatomical issues in your head or neck that could also be responsible. At this point, try to avoid lifting and the other triggers that you mentioned. Take care and do keep us posted.
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Avatar universal
I have been experiencing very simular symptoms! It begins between my occipital bone and the nape of my neck.The throbbing will occur if I cough to hard, lift anything to heavy, laugh, sneeze or have to urinate. This pain makes me want to drop to my knees. It feels as if 10x the normal amount of blood is entering my head and then shoots up both sides of my head!!! If I bend my head down that does give some relief.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
How are you? Are there other symptoms present? Was there a previous injury to the head or neck? This could be due to musculoskeletal, neurological or vascular issues such as degenerative disc disease, muscle strain,  a herniated disc, a pinched nerve, or even from  common infections and from underlying conditions such as primary headaches . Posture ans work conditions are also factors to consider. Rest, pain medications and cold/warm compress may help. If it persists, have this checked by your doctor for proper evaluation. Take care and regards.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
sometimes i get these alwful pain in the back of my head near my neck it might hurt for a day or few hours and go away and then not hurt for a couple of week the pain gets so bad sometimes and i get to feeling so bad could you please give me some advice
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
How are you? Headaches associated with exercise may indeed be due to exertion headaches also. As mentioned earlier, majority of this is related to migraine or cluster headaches. However, extensive testing is necessary to determine the headache cause and to rule out organic causes.At this point, you can avoid physical exertion or take preventive medicines prescribed by your doctor. Have this evaluated further for proper management. Take care and hope to hear from you soon.
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Avatar universal
hi... lam 18/M and l started having this same pain in the left back of my head a week ago and it cames only when l exercise  and l started to think its cus of l was doing pull ups in my school ones but the bar was very far from ground and when l was done l just let go but when l landed in the ground l felt like my brain shaked inside my skull it was painfull and its exactly that day the first time l felt that pain and from that day on everytime l exercise l feel ur same pain any result on y and how to get rid of it?
Helpful - 0
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