Pain: it’s something we all deal with at some point. However, for some, it is chronic, inhibiting their ability to leave their lives to the fullest. For those with occipital neuralgia, pain can be debilitating.
Luckily, you don’t have to just accept the pain. With the right help, you can manage it and get back to enjoying your life.
Occipital neuralgia is a type of headache. It is distinct in the way that its pain presents. Occipital neuralgia symptoms include: piecing, throbbing, and electric shocks that occur chronically in the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the ears. In many cases, it only presents on one side, starting in the neck and spreading upward.
Some people find their occipital neuralgia pain presents itself in the scalp, forehead, and even behind the eyes. The scalp may be overly sensitive to touch and the eyes hurt by light. The location of the pain is determined by where the occipital nerves run.
This type of pain is caused by irritation or injury of the occipital nerves, which is why it is always chronic, not acute. This can happen due to a blow to the head, compression of the disks in the neck, or muscle disorders that pinch the nerves.
General inflammation, infection, gout, diabetes, and vasculitis are all linked to occipital neuralgia. However, there is no definitive proof that they cause it. Aside from injuries or compressed discs, there are no clear causes of the condition.
There aren’t many treatments for occipital neuralgia relief. However, those that we do have tend to deliver excellent results. Occipital pain can be treated with simple massage and rest, physical therapy, and medications, including antidepressants. In severe cases, steroid injections or nerve blocks can deliver much-needed relief.
Luckily, occipital neuralgia isn’t life-threatening. While it is painful, an occipital neuralgia specialist in Chicago, IL can help you get relief through heat, rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and muscle relaxants. In many cases, the condition can be fully resolved, and when it cannot, it can be effectively managed.
For more information on occipital neuralgia and its treatments, contact us. We will set up an appointment with our occipital neuralgia doctor.
