Understand & manage
- Irritated nerves near the back of the scalp can cause brief shooting or electric pain and scalp tenderness. Migraine can feel similar.
- Diagnosis usually relies on the history and examination; a clinician may consider a nerve block. Do not diagnose this condition from pain location alone.
- Treatment may include physical therapy, prescribed medication, or selected procedures. Review benefits and risks with your clinician.
When to get medical help
A sudden, exceptionally severe headache, new weakness, trouble speaking, or vision loss needs emergency assessment—call 911.
Bring this question to your visit
Could this be migraine or another cause of scalp pain?
Education & translation notice
For educational and informational purposes only. This content is not medical advice and does not replace medical consultation or evaluation. Call 911 for any medical emergency. Do not change medicines or begin exercises based only on this page. Ask your clinician about new or worsening symptoms, falls, medication side effects, and the right level of care. For severe or sudden symptoms, serious injury, breathing difficulty, or another medical emergency, call 911; do not wait for a website, form, or chatbot reply. English and translated summaries can contain errors or become outdated. Spanish and other translations may lose medical meaning; confirm important instructions with your clinician and a qualified interpreter. Linked materials may have different regional emergency numbers; in the United States use 911.