Shoulder & Neck
Quick Reference
The suboccipital muscle group consists of four small muscles located at the base of the skull, between the occiput and the first two cervical vertebrae (C1 and C2). Their primary function is fine-tuning head position — small, precise adjustments to maintain visual and vestibular orientation. They're not designed for prolonged static loading.
When the head moves forward from its neutral position — as happens with prolonged screen use, reading, or looking down at a phone — the suboccipitals are placed under sustained tension to maintain upright head position. Over time, they shorten and develop trigger points. Active trigger points in the suboccipitals refer pain across the back of the skull and into the temple and eye socket, producing the characteristic distribution of tension-type headaches.
The suboccipital region also has a dense concentration of mechanoreceptors that contribute to proprioception. When the suboccipitals are chronically tight, they can impair proprioceptive signals from the cervical spine, which sometimes contributes to dizziness and balance disturbances.
Cervicogenic headaches — those originating from the cervical spine and suboccipital muscles — typically start at the base of the skull and radiate forward. They're often worse with sustained neck flexion, screen work, or driving. They tend to be one-sided and associated with restricted cervical rotation. They are frequently misdiagnosed as tension headaches or migraines, and treated with medications that address the headache but not the source.
Direct manual therapy to the suboccipital muscles — including specific trigger point release and myofascial work — is highly effective for cervicogenic headaches. The muscles are accessible just below the occiput, and releasing them often produces immediate reduction in headache intensity. Pairing this with work on the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and cervical paraspinals addresses the broader pattern. Postural correction and reducing sustained neck flexion are necessary for long-term results.
Have questions about this in your own body?
Book a session and we'll apply this directly to what's happening in your tissue — with a full assessment and hands-on treatment.
