
In severe cases that have not responded to other treatments, a surgeon may cut the greater occipital nerve.
Occipital release surgery: The surgeon will make a small cut in the back of the neck and releases the nerves from tissues that are compressing them.C2,3 ganglionectomy: This procedure disrupts a cluster of nerves that contribute to occipital head pain.Spinal cord stimulation: The surgeon will place the electrodes between the spinal cord and the vertebrae.It works by using electrical impulses to block pain messages. This is a minimally invasive procedure and does not damage the nerves. Occipital nerve stimulation: A surgeon will place electrodes under the skin, near the occipital nerves.If pain is severe and persistently affects a person’s quality of life, the doctor may suggest surgery. A doctor will usually recommend this treatment only if others have not worked.Īlso, these injections will not cure neuralgia, and the pain may return a few months later. However, injecting drugs into the vertebrae is a relatively invasive procedure. anesthetic drugs, such as a nerve block.Some examples of injectable drugs include:
Injections may help reduce inflammation, pain, or both. If home remedies and OTC treatments do not help, a doctor may prescribe: In some cases, treating the migraine may improve the symptoms of occipital head pain. Many people with occipital neuralgia also have migraine. These options can relieve pain or help relax and release the muscles that are putting pressure on the occipital nerves.
taking over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medications. The following options may help a person manage the pain and discomfort associated with occipital neuralgia: Some people say that it feels like a migraine or cluster headache, even though these are different types and require different treatments. Small movements can trigger or worsen a burst of pain. a lingering ache between more severe bouts of pain. bursts of pain that come and go, lasting for a few seconds or minutes. the scalp, especially where the occipital nerves connect. The pain often spreads or shoots up from where the neck meets the skull, and it may affect: There may also be a persistent throbbing, burning, or aching pain that continues between the spasms. This may last from a few seconds to several minutes. The condition involves a sudden but intermittent piercing, shooting, or shock-like pain. Headaches that occur due to occipital neuralgia can be very painful. Learn more about different types of headache here. A doctor may diagnose UHNP if a person experiences head and neck pain for 15 days or more per month. Occipital neuralgia may also play a role in unremitting head and neck pain (UHNP), according to some researchers. One expert points out that it is rare to experience only occipital head pain. Some of these types and causes overlap with occipital neuralgia. Sensitivity can develop anywhere along this route. The nerves run from the spine to the scalp, up each side of the head. There are three occipital nerves - the greater, the lesser, and the third - present in the second and third vertebrae of the neck. It results from irritation or injury to the occipital nerves. Occipital neuralgia differs from other types of headache in the: Share on Pinterest Occipital neuralgia often starts at the top of the neck.