Have Throbbing Pain In Back Of Head And Sore Scalp. On Valium For Anxiety. What Is The Problem?

Posted on Tue, 6 Nov 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 6 Nov 2012 Answered on

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, i am having a throbbing like pain in the back of my head, i have a slightly sore scalp when i brush my hair or even to touch it, i am under alot of stress at the moment because of uni and exams, i went to the doctor and she checked me out and gave me valium for anxiety, she said i was having tension headache? can tension headache cause the pain at the back of the head and today also i was sitting in my exam when my head felt so heavy that i couldnt hold my neck up and was in pain sitting there looking down, i must add that i do add strain to my neck when i sit up in bed studyingwith my laptop looking down for hrs with no break, like i said i have been very stressed out with my uni work and exams and have just been studying for hours on end looking directly down at the computer screen sitting up in bed.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (1 hour later)

Hello,

Such symptoms can be caused by tension type headache. Pain, heaviness, throbbing can be felt at back of head, sometimes running down the neck even to the region just short to shoulders.

(Actually, I do get stress/tension headaches myself, so I am well aware of pain/symptoms).

So I agree with your doctor about the treatment. In addition, you can take analgesic for this. This will help reduce pain.

Since you are studying hard and for longer duration, possibility of neck muscle spasm is quiet likely. Therefore, you can give a try to muscle relaxants for day or two to see if they help.

Try neck gentle massage, meditation and breathing exercises for few minutes, a short walk or some relaxation can surely help and also improve your performance. (In Fact things have helped me more than medications.)

Hope this answers your question. Please ask if there are doubts.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir (30 minutes later)

Thankyou for the feedback :) alot of my muscles are extremely tense after a very full on year of uni exams and work and as i explained my posture is very bad and when studying i rarely take breaks and i also strain my neck and back muscles as well, do you think i might benefit from XXXXXXX tissue therapy or something like that to get the muscles back after so much strain or are there any other massages that you would recommend?

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (6 minutes later)

Hello,

Thanks for follow-up question. In that case, I would recommend physiotherapy. There are many options in physiotherapy, which can help relieve your muscle spasm. You can consider seeing a physiotherapist, who will assess you and then propose treatment options.

Please ask if there are doubts.

Thank you.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir (42 minutes later)

Thanks very much for all your feedback, very much appreciated! :) i will be sure to recommend you to others :)

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (6 minutes later)

You are welcome.It was pleasure to assist to you.

You may ask me a query in future if needed, at this link.

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Thanks and take care!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E