Occipital Neuralgia: What It Is and How to Treat It (2024)

FAQs

Occipital Neuralgia: What It Is and How to Treat It? ›

Treatment options like hot and cold therapy, stretching and massage relieve the pain for many people. If your symptoms don't go away with noninvasive treatment, you may be a candidate for a spinal cord stimulator or occipital nerve stimulator. Treatment relieves the symptoms for most people.

Treatment options like hot and cold therapy, stretching and massage relieve the pain for many people. If your symptoms don't go away with noninvasive treatment, you may be a candidate for a spinal cord stimulator or occipital nerve stimulator. Treatment relieves the symptoms for most people.

What causes occipital neuralgia? Occipital neuralgia may occur spontaneously, or as the result of a pinched nerve root in the neck (from arthritis, for example), or because of prior injury or surgery to the scalp or skull. Sometimes "tight" muscles at the back of the head can entrap the nerves.

Take NSAIDs.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (e.g., Aleve). Taking them may help reduce inflammation and relieve headache/neck pain.

Grain products with Gluten: Those with neuropathy should consider avoiding refined carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta, pizza, crackers, and other snacks. Recent studies have shown a link between gluten sensitivity and nerve pain, so it's best to stick to the unrefined carb choices listed above.

The next question is, “What exercises should I avoid with occipital neuralgia?” Exercises that cause excessive tension in the neck muscles should be avoided. Lifting heavy weights for exercise or strenuous exercise can over-tighten muscles and compress the occipital nerves.

Identifying Trigger Points

Trigger points found within the suboccipital muscle group, including muscles such as the rectus capitis posterior major and minor oblique capitis superior and inferior, are frequently responsible for inducing occipital neuralgia.

However, the best way to sleep with occipital neuralgia is to sleep on your back with a pillow that provides neck support. In addition, you can use memory foams because of their ability to adapt to the various contours of your head. Most orthopedic doctors recommend cervical pillows for such purposes(4).

Some people describe the pain as migraine-like. The scalp may become tender and extremely sensitive to the point where a light touch can cause severe pain (allodynia). Causes of occipital neuralgia include injury, pinched nerve, overly tight neck muscles, nerve compression, disc disease, or infection and inflammation.

If the pain caused by occipital neuralgia travels along the side of the head to the face, it might initially be mistaken for a condition known as trigeminal neuralgia.

What vitamin deficiency causes occipital neuralgia? ›

Vitamin D helps the body absorb the minerals required for strong bones, like calcium and phosphorus. It also reduces inflammation, which could explain its role in alleviating headaches. A 2020 review indicates that low vitamin D might be a factor in primary headaches, particularly migraine and tension headaches.

Water reduces nerve stress, and it can help to relax muscles. That can mean reduced pain, healthier nerves, and faster recovery from nerve damage. Be sure to drink plenty of water alongside your diet to keep your body and nerves hydrated.

Anticonvulsants are one of the most effective medications for treating nerve pain. Examples include pregabalin (Lyrica) and gabapentin (Neurontin). These medications are typically very effective in treating nerve pain, but they may also cause undesired side effects, such as: lethargy.

Causes of occipital neuralgia include injury, pinched nerve, overly tight neck muscles, nerve compression, disc disease, or infection and inflammation. Diagnosis of occipital neuralgia is usually done through a physical and neurological exam, along with diagnostic imaging.

According to a 2017 review, vitamin B-complex supplements may help relieve neuropathic pain by speeding up nerve fiber regeneration and repair. If you have occipital neuralgia, you can consider incorporating more vitamin B-rich foods in your diet.