Back of head pain with yawning?

Answer 1

When we do a movement like a yawn, this is a form of pandiculation.

Any movement can produce pain yet we can pandiculate the discomfort out of us.

Here's what we've learned. In 1680, the founder of clinical medicine noted that pandiculations can bring the muscles to rest. Today we've systematized the pandiculations as somatics exercises.

When you do a movement such as a yawn, the key is to first not get the pain response to fire up. Try doing the movement and stay under the level of pain, then slowly release yourself.

If you feel the front of the neck, the shoulders or the back of the head hesitating upon the release. That's good news. Make sure you slow down the release the next time.

When you move or pandiculate, you feel what is actually happening. What muscles you are contracting. What is it your using to create this movement.

By slowly releasing, you get the tissues to soften since the brain's cortex will do this "if" you release slowly. Like untying a knot, you can muscles to let go.

Once you get better at it, then you'll able to yawn widely without any pain.

If you need more help, you can find a Hanna Somatic Educator who can teach you the simple somatics exercises we use to overcome physical pain.