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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Sharp Shooting Pain To The Back Of Head?

I have a sharp shooting pain to the back of my head on the left side of my neck below the ear. At the moment there are frequent sharp spasms of pain. This began 3 hours ago and has gradually become more severe. The spasms are currently occurring about every 20-30 seconds. The pain just came on. No physical jarring or turning etc.
Thu, 24 Dec 2015
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Radiologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

There are many causes of a shooting pain in the back of the head. Commonly a neuralgia of the trigeminal nerve can cause such a condition. It has branches which supplies the back of the head. This can trigger sharp pains to the area. However a clinical examination is required to confirm the condition.

Other causes of such pains can be from nerve pinching in the cervical spine. The nerves leave the spinal cord through small foramina and if there is cervical spine disc disease then the nerves are under pressure and can cause a sensation of sharp pain in the back of the head and neck regions.

Pain below the ear can also happen due to inflammation of blood vessels called arteritis, usually temporal arteritis is a common cause of pain on the side of head and around the ear. Please consult a neurologist for confirmation. Please do not worry.
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What Causes Sharp Shooting Pain To The Back Of Head?

Hi, Thanks for writing in to us. There are many causes of a shooting pain in the back of the head. Commonly a neuralgia of the trigeminal nerve can cause such a condition. It has branches which supplies the back of the head. This can trigger sharp pains to the area. However a clinical examination is required to confirm the condition. Other causes of such pains can be from nerve pinching in the cervical spine. The nerves leave the spinal cord through small foramina and if there is cervical spine disc disease then the nerves are under pressure and can cause a sensation of sharp pain in the back of the head and neck regions. Pain below the ear can also happen due to inflammation of blood vessels called arteritis, usually temporal arteritis is a common cause of pain on the side of head and around the ear. Please consult a neurologist for confirmation. Please do not worry.