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