Occipital neuralgia is a condition causing pain in the back and top of the head, often described as sharp, shooting, or shock-like pain. This pain originates from the occipital nerves, which run from the top of the spinal cord to the scalp. It can be triggered by various factors, including nerve irritation, muscle tension, or underlying conditions. 

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Occipital Neuralgia is often mistaken for other types of headaches, such as migraines or tension headaches, due to the similarity in symptoms. Pain symptoms can be described as sharp, piercing, shooting, or like an electric shock and can last for seconds to minutes. Pain symptoms may also be continuous.

 

Other symptoms may include

• Pain behind the eye on the affected side 

• Tender scalp 

• Light sensitivity 

• Pain or discomfort with hair brushing or shampooing

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Causes of Occipital Neuralgia

• Nerve Inflammation

• Nerve Irritation 

• Nerve Entrapment 

• Head or Neck Injuries

• Infection

• Osteoarthritis 

• Trauma

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Non Surgical Treatment Options

• Medication

• Physical Therapy

• Occipital Nerve Block Injection

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Surgical Treatment Options 

• Occipital Nerve Stimulation

• Decompression Surgery

• Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)

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For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Orthopaedic Spine & Joint Center at (614) 318-0808.

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