The semispinalis cervicis is a major contributor to headaches, especially those in which the pain concentrates at the base of the skull extending up the back of the head. It can also contribute to tingling and burning in the back of the head and scalp.
The splenius cervicis muscle is located in the back of the neck. It contributes to throbbing pain at the back of the head that extends to the back of the eye. It can also contribute to blurred vision.
The splenius capitis muscle can contribute to pain at the top of the head and occasionally cause blurred vision. The muscle is affected by whiplash injuries.
The levator scapulae connect the shoulder blade to the vertebra of the neck. The muscle contributes to pain in the shoulder, neck, and the base of the skull. The muscle causes a stiff neck. It can contribute to headaches at the base of the skull and up into the back of the head.
The trapezius muscle is located in the upper back. It can contribute to headaches and pain in the eye, jaw, neck, top of the shoulder and upper back. It can also contribute to tingling in the arm.
The iliocostalis lumborum can contribute to pain in the lower back, hip, buttock and occasionally the abdomen. The pain is often a deep aching pain that feels as though it originates in the hip or buttock.
A band of pain encircling the top of the head, pain in the temple area going into the eye, and pain in the back of the head is symptoms of trigger points in the semispinalis capitis muscle.
The sternocleidomastoid are the two big muscles located on each side of the front of the neck. These are the most affected muscles when whiplash of the head / neck occurs. The muscles can contribute to pain throughout the head and neck area and can contribute to symptoms of vertigo.
The iliocostalis thoracis muscle can contribute to pain in the chest, upper back, lower back, and abdomen. Pain tends to be more concentrated around the shoulder blade and / or low back kidney area.
Pain in and around the ear that sometimes extends up toward the eye is a classic sign of longissimus capitis dysfunction