What causes pain in the back of the head and numbness in the hands?

Generally, pain in the back of the head and numbness in the hands may be caused by excessive neck muscle tension, insufficient cerebral blood supply, migraine, cervical disc herniation, or carotid artery stenosis, among other reasons, and targeted treatment is required. It is recommended to seek medical diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Excessive neck muscle tension: Maintaining poor neck posture for prolonged periods can cause excessive tension in the neck muscles, potentially leading to pain in the back of the head. Tense muscles may also compress surrounding nerves, causing numbness in the hands. It is important to periodically move and stretch the neck to relieve muscle tension.

2. Insufficient cerebral blood supply: This condition refers to inadequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, resulting in brain cells being deprived of sufficient oxygen and nutrients. Cerebral hypoperfusion may cause headaches, including pain at the back of the head, and may also impair normal nervous system function, leading to sensory abnormalities in the hands such as numbness. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use medications such as rosuvastatin calcium tablets, amlodipine-atorvastatin calcium tablets, or compound sodium ferulate aspirin capsules to alleviate symptoms.

3. Migraine: Migraine is a neurological type of headache, typically characterized by sudden, recurrent, severe, inflammation-like pain on one side of the head. This type of headache is often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia, and may also cause tingling or numbness in the hands. Medications such as indomethacin tablets, nimodipine tablets, or compound propranolol caffeine tablets may be used under a doctor’s guidance to relieve symptoms.

4. Cervical disc herniation: This condition occurs when the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral disc in the cervical spine protrudes into the intervertebral foramen or spinal canal. The herniated disc may compress nearby nerves, causing headaches and neck discomfort, as well as affecting nerve conduction to the hands. Treatment may include medications such as ibuprofen tablets, meloxicam tablets, or celecoxib capsules under medical supervision.

5. Carotid artery stenosis: This condition is usually caused by plaque buildup in the inner lining of the artery or other vascular wall abnormalities. Carotid stenosis may reduce blood supply to the brain, leading to headaches, dizziness, and vision problems. Due to reduced blood flow, it may also cause numbness in the hands. Medical intervention, such as carotid endarterectomy, is required.

In daily life, maintaining moderate physical activity, drinking plenty of water, and ensuring adequate sleep are beneficial for overall health.