Muscles
Occipitalis Trigger Points
Symptom Area: Head and Neck
Occipitalis Trigger Points are explored here through their location and referred pain pattern. Muscle knots is an everyday term used for tender muscular spots; myofascial pain describes pain involving muscle and its surrounding connective tissue. Posterior belly of the occipitofrontalis; tenses the scalp and refers pain into the head.
Where you feel it
When the Occipitalis holds active trigger points, you usually notice it as back of head pain. Where the pain spreads: Behind and through the eye on the same side — a frequent driver of 'eye-socket' headaches. What often sets it off: Forward head posture, chronic frowning, eye strain from screens, suboccipital tightness.
Overview
Posterior belly of the occipitofrontalis; tenses the scalp and refers pain into the head. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Across the occipital bone just above the superior nuchal line.
Referred pain pattern
Behind and through the eye on the same side — a frequent driver of 'eye-socket' headaches.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Forward head posture, chronic frowning, eye strain from screens, suboccipital tightness.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Suboccipital release, screen ergonomics, eye breaks. Clinically: gentle manual release; needling rarely required.
Treatment protocol
For Occipitalis, the general protocol applies: sustained pressure release on the taut band, then stretch and active movement in the newly gained range.
Position and palpation: Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course.
Regional precaution for clinicians: In the neck and jaw, needle placement must respect the carotid sheath, the external jugular vein, the vertebral artery in the suboccipital region and the lung apex behind the lower scalenes and the medial supraclavicular fossa.
Secondary Symptoms
Related muscles in this region
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction
Medically reviewed by: Marco Aruffo — physiotherapist since 2006, specialised in myofascial pain · Last reviewed:
