Occipital Neuralgia

Head & Neck Pain Treatment

Patients with occipital neuralgia can go undiagnosed and suffer for many years because symptoms can mimic more common headaches, such as migraines. However, this condition requires a very specific treatment plan, making an accurate diagnosis essential for pain relief. Once diagnosed, occipital neuralgia typically responds well to treatment. A board-certified pain physician can offer you the most advanced non-surgical options available, enabling you to return to an active lifestyle.

What is Occipital Neuralgia?

Much of the feeling in the back and top of the head is transmitted to the brain by the two occipital nerves, which emerge from the spine in the upper neck and travel to the top of the head. Occipital neuralgia is a unique condition that occurs when these nerves are inflamed or injured. Irritation of an occipital nerve anywhere along its course can cause a shooting or stabbing pain in the neck, radiating over the head. Sometimes, it can feel like a headache in the back of the head. Between bouts of shooting pain, there also can be a constant ache. Other symptoms can include dizziness and nausea.

Occipital neuralgia is the neck/head pain that results from injury or irritation to the occipital nerves. It can be caused by trauma, such as a car accident, by a pinched nerve root in the neck (from arthritis, for example), or by “tight” muscles at the back of the head that entrap the nerves.

Other causes of occipital neuralgia include:

Osteoarthritis
Neck tumors
Cervical disc disease
Infection
Gout
Blood vessel inflammation
Diabetes

What are the Symptoms of Occipital Neuralgia?

Occipital neuralgia symptoms can be mild or severe and could include the following:

Shooting or stabbing pain in the neck - radiating over the head
Constant headaches
Pain behind the eyes
Dizziness
Nausea

The severity and length of symptoms can differ depending on the cause of the occipital neuralgia. Pain can last anywhere from a few seconds to multiple hours and can last for months if left untreated.

80% of adults will experience back pain in their lifetime. Take the FREE back pain risk assessment to understand your risk factors, and aid in preventing complications in the future.

How is Occipital Neuralgia Diagnosed?

Proper diagnosis starts with an experienced physician. The type of pain that you may have with occipital neuralgia can be similar to the symptoms of several types of disorders. Accurately determining the correct source of your pain is critical to successful treatment.

Begins with a thorough clinical evaluation
Including a complete medical history, analysis of your symptoms, and physical examination
Testing may include x-rays, MRI and/or CT scans, and peripheral nerve conduction study
These advanced diagnostic techniques help pinpoint the source of pain

Occipital Neuralgia Treatment

Because occipital neuralgia differs from migraines, it has its own specific treatment. A misdiagnosed occipital headache as a migraine or other condition can make the condition worse. While occipital headaches can be quick, lasting just a few seconds, if left untreated, they can become chronic and even come back after successful treatment.

Treatment options for occipital neuralgia include the below treatments. Along with rest, medications, and heat therapy, you can get relief from these symptoms. Click on the links to learn more about these minimally-invasive treatments.