I found this question and response posted on another site . The answer came from a member named Monicurl. Maybe this has something to do with what you are experiencing. HTH :
Hi. Im wondering am I going crazy or what! I am in my fifth month of transition, I have a nice poof of new growth going on, with the plan of the big chop coming in April or June (I kinda want to see how long I can take it!). I have 18 inches of relaxed hair to go along with my 4-5 inches of new growth, but lately..as in the last couple of weeks, my head has been hurting. My scalp is tender, not sore, but more tender than normal. Also I can't stand tying my hair up at night, its getting to the point that my edges hurt as I tie it up. But in the same breath, I can't not sleep with something on my head. Im 26 and I have never slept a night in my life almost without my hair being tied up. But this new found tenderness is driving me crazy. On a day to day basis Im just lightly brushing my hair into a ponytail or a bun. I wash (or try to) twice a week, and only comb with the conditioner in. I am basically no poo, with a shampoo every 3 months or so...I noticed my tenderness more when Im trying to massage my scalp, but I hate this...my scalp is healthy and so is my hair, but the tenderness is noticeable. Has this happened to anyone else? Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
Welcome to stage 3 of the natural journey - scalp ache, brought on by healing. I talk about this is detail in the Voices book, but here's a brief on it:
Ever have a cut or sore begin the healing process and itch or feel achy? It's the same thing. I know, it sounds like a myth, but it makes perfect sense. The nerve endings you'd been subjecting to a numbing agent, aka your relaxer, are beginning to revive. Notice how when you first ever got relaxers, they burned even if you did not scratch your scalp, but as time went on you began to be able to tolerate them better? That is because your scalp basically is scarred from the chemical continual assault.
This should be evidence enough for anyone that relaxers do damage far below the scalp line.
The scalp is filled with nerve endings that react to the slightest touch because the skin is quite thin. Need more proof? How do you know something is touching your hair ends? Super sensitive nerve endings.
So, once again you have reached another stage of the journey! Don't worry, it does not last long.. I'd say a few months at the most.