Muscles

Occipitalis

Posterior belly of the occipitofrontalis; tenses the scalp and refers pain into the head.

Referred pain map

Occipitalis (posterior belly of the occipitofrontalis) — trigger point on the back of the skull above the superior nuchal line with referred pain that wraps over the head to behind and through the eye on the same side — a classic 'eye-socket' headache pattern.

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.

Symptoms commonly linked

References

• Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction