Gulf Coast Pain Management
Benign Pain
 

OCCIPITAL NEURALGIA

Description - Occipital neuralgia is a distinct type of headache characterized by piercing, throbbing, or electric shock-like chronic pain in the upper neck, back of the head and behind the ears, usually on one side of the head. Typically the pain of occipital neuralgia beings in the neck and then spreads upwards. Some individuals will also experience pain in the scalp,
forehead and behind the eyes. The scalp may be sensitive to touch and their eyes especially sensitive to light. The location of the pain is related to the areas supplied by the greater and lesser occipital nerves, which run from the area where the spinal column meets the neck, up to the scalp at the back of the head. The pain is caused by irritation or injury to the nerves, which can be the result of trauma to the back of the head, pinching of the nerves by overly tight neck muscles, compression of the nerve as it leaves the spine due to osteoarthritis, or tumors or other lesions in the neck. Localized inflammation or infection, gout, diabetes, blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), and frequent lengthy periods of keeping the head in a downward and forward position are also associated with occipital neuralgia. In many cases however, no cause can be found. A positive response (relief from pain) after an anesthetic nerve block will confirm the diagnosis.
 

Treatment- Treatment is generally symptomatic and includes massage and rest. In some cases antidepressants may be used when the pain is particularly severe. Other treatments may include   local nerve blocks and injections of steroids directly into the affected area. Recovery is usually complete after the bout of pain has ended and the nerve damage repaired or lessened.
 

If you have any questions whatsoever regarding Occipital Neuralgia,
 please do not hesitate to ask Lynne Carr Columbus, D.O. / Hee (Dennis) S. Lee, M.D.