What is Occipital Neuralgia?

Occipital Neuralgia is a distinct type of headache characterized by sharp, jabbing pain in the upper neck or back of the head, usually on one side.

Common Causes

• Tension in neck muscles
• Injuries to the neck
• Inflammation and irritation of the occipital nerves
  
  

Symptoms

• Sharp, throbbing pain at the base of the head and behind the eyes
• Sensitivity to light
  
  

Diagnosis

• Physical examination
• Patient history
• Possibly nerve block injections to confirm the source of the pain
  
  

Conservative Treatments

• Rest
• Heat
• Massage
• Physical therapy
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication
  
  

Interventional Treatments

• Nerve blocks
• Steroid injections
• In some cases, surgery
  
  

Goals of Treatment

• Alleviate pain
• Ease muscle tension
• Improve the patient’s quality of life