Headache Around The Eyebrow

People trace around their eyebrow with their fingers and say, “I have a headache right here.” When I ask, they sometimes describe the pain behind the ear and might talk about the pain on top of their head. Once in a great while, this muscle only creates the spot on top of the head. That headache is more likely to be from the trigger point in this muscle. The headache around the eyebrow is almost always the focus, even with other symptoms.

Those areas of pain behind the ear is less common but can be the primary complaint or in combination with the headache around the brow.

Other indicators of this trigger point

This trigger point does more than create pain. In addition, it may irritate your ears, vision, and sinuses. Those are clues for your neuromuscular therapist too. People often report blurred vision, ringing in the ears, and “sinus headache.”

See the little pain area under the jaw? In a statistically significant number of cases, this trigger point makes that sharp pain when you swallow. Bet you didn’t think of that as a muscle problem. Try the stretches in the Self-Care section and see if the sharp pain in the throat goes away.

This muscle is in a sheath with the vagus nerve and has a strong influence on mood and some internal organ responses. The tension in this muscle has a strong effect on the Polyvagal Nervous System. Because of this, ice and stretch of this muscle can be quite calming, especially with social anxiety.

When you lean back, pull your head forward, and look to one side it can activate this headache around the eyebrow. Consequently, this is one of the most common neck problems that I treat. For example, sitting up in bed and reading while the book that is held to one side strains this muscle. Marilyn is in the position to create a show-stopping headache. It is even worse without the supporting pillow.

I see this position more commonly with people that lean back in a chair with their head pulled forward and turned to look at the phone in their hand. Still, others report that they lean back on the couch with their head pulled forward and turned to watch TV.

You might also activate this by sleeping with your head sharply turned to one side. I find that many people with this headache sleep face down with their heads turned and laid flatly on the mattress or a thin pillow.

Also, this muscle is one of the common muscles that gets strained in whiplash.

Address the Underlying Postural Problems

This muscle contributes to Forward-Head posture. It becomes short and strong. Then, once the head has become imbalanced over the trunk, this muscle is supported to become shorter and stronger.

If you have Forward-Head Posture, review this collection, especially the self-care exercise Tuck, Tilt, Turn and Lift.

Musculoskeletal Anatomy

About these Illustrations…

The sternocleidomastoid has a complex structure that impacts a number of joints and nerves. Accordingly, it is associated with a number of disorders like anxiety, sinus problems, tinnitus, and blurred vision.

Clinically Proven
Self-Care Strategies

This post has strategies for getting relief on your own. Explore how to change your activities, stretch, ice, and more to relieve the pain associated with this trigger point.

Better Bodywork
Through Shared Expertise

This post has techniques, tips, treatment routines, and anatomy illustrations to improve the bodyworker’s approach.

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