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Occipital Neuralgia
Information
The pain of ON is commonly localized in the back of head and around or over the top of the head, sometimes up to the eyebrow or behind the eye. Another symptom is the eyes being sensitive to light, especially when headaches occur.
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Latest Activity: Jul 29
What is Occipital Neuralgia?
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 begins in the neck and then spreads upwards. Some individuals will also experience pain in the scalp, forehead, and behind the eyes. Their scalp may also be tender to the touch, and their eyes especially sensitive to light. The location of 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 types of 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.
Is there any 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.
What is the prognosis?
Occipital neuralgia is not a life-threatening condition. Many individuals will improve with therapy involving heat, rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and muscle relaxants. Recovery is usually complete after the bout of pain has ended and the nerve damage repaired or lessened.
What research is being done?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes at the National Institutes of Health conduct research related to pain and occipital neuralgia in their clinics and laboratories and support additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Much of this research focuses on understanding the basic mechanisms of pain and testing treatments in order to find better ways to treat occipital neuralgia.
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 begins in the neck and then spreads upwards. Some individuals will also experience pain in the scalp, forehead, and behind the eyes. Their scalp may also be tender to the touch, and their eyes especially sensitive to light. The location of 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 types of 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.
Is there any 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.
What is the prognosis?
Occipital neuralgia is not a life-threatening condition. Many individuals will improve with therapy involving heat, rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and muscle relaxants. Recovery is usually complete after the bout of pain has ended and the nerve damage repaired or lessened.
What research is being done?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes at the National Institutes of Health conduct research related to pain and occipital neuralgia in their clinics and laboratories and support additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Much of this research focuses on understanding the basic mechanisms of pain and testing treatments in order to find better ways to treat occipital neuralgia.
Discussion Forum
Severe Eye Pain Both Eyes 1 Reply
I had chicken pox as an adult, and now have shingles that affects my face and eyes. This TN episode is different than in past years. It normally affects the left side of my face. About halfway thr…
Started by Sue Richey. Last reply by Liz K. Jul 5.
Strange back of the head pain with other symptoms
I have this in a blog but I think it might suit the ON group also. See the video on this link, I wish I could go to this doctor.My Hubby was watching Mystery Diagnosis and called me into the room, he…
Started by Diana Parker Mar 20.
Comment Wall
Comment
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Comment by Sue Richey on July 28, 2010 at 8:22pm - Bad Days and Good Days - after living like a bat in the dark in my house for five weeks my eyes are finally not sensitive to light and as painful. The bad news is last night while dealing with pain in left eye/side of face, I could actually feel a nerve inflaming from above my right ear, up over the top of my face and stopped in the middle of my forehead. Worst headache ever. Went to ER today, got Xanax and brain scan. Nothing showing up on scan. Just took my fifth Midrin. Have any of you actually felt the inflammation occurring and moving in your head? Do you get migranes from them? I see a neurologist August 17. This morning I did't think I could take it anymore.
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Comment by paul grant on May 25, 2010 at 9:33pm - thank you sarah, I have a meeting with my doctor tomorrow and we are going to be discussing antidepresssants and muscle relaxors so I will bring your suggestion with me
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Comment by Sarah S. on May 25, 2010 at 7:53pm - Paul, I had good luck with the tricyclic antidepressant nortriptylline in conjunction with nerve blocks. My body couldn't tolerate the seizure meds. Ask your doctor if this could be an option for you. Good luck and let us know how you make out!
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Comment by paul grant on May 25, 2010 at 3:03pm
- has anyone had any success with muscle relaxer or trying anti depresents medications? my wife and daughter are calling me "crabby" by the time I get home from work, I have very limited patience.
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Comment by paul grant on April 15, 2010 at 12:53pm
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I am new to this web site, but have been suffering from Occipital Neuralgia for over a year and half.
I have tried nerve blocks, rx drugs for pain, rx for siezures, physical therapy
nothing seems to help.
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Comment by Diana Parker on March 16, 2010 at 10:36pm - Oh new tic in my eye when I have shock in my head.
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Comment by Diana Parker on March 16, 2010 at 10:34pm
- I remember the nerve block. All5 of them. Last was worst, almost passed out. Tongue tingles since. was a little better on R side, not any more. I got a bad migraine so I won't write no more cos I know this post is messy and took over 5 min to write.
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Comment by Kerry on February 4, 2010 at 10:45pm -
The nerve block they doctor gave me, was done under a light anesthesia so I was not awake nor asleep - this gave me virtually no recall of the procedure at all, however i do remember answering questions that they asked me during the procedure. Twice now I've had a nerve block done - one for each (both left and right) side of my face. The pain relief I got from that lasted approximately 1 week.
So now, that the nerve block done to my trigeminal gasserion ganglion worked, they will follow up in early March with the PRF lesioning (Pulsed Radiofrequency lesioning) http://www.deaconess.com/body.cfm?id=1916
So I'm very much looking forward to that - now, "IF" that works also, I'll get about 3 months pain free time with each procedure. So every 3 months I'll need to get 2 procedures done - one on the left and one on the right.. But again, IF it does help me - then bring on the needles!!
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Comment by Diana Parker on January 26, 2010 at 3:02pm
- I hope the nerve blocks can help for you, they did not work for me and I got side effects from it. The first 3 nerve block seemed smaller than the tow that the other Dr. gave me, he used bigger needles and almost made me pass out from vertigo and made me lay down for 20 min. and I had a nasty metallic and did not do away, no more needles for me!
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Comment by Kerry on January 26, 2010 at 1:41pm
- My Occipital pain does include the full range of that branch of nerves, into the ear again - i mean every neuralgia i have goes into my poor ear. Plus the ON into my eye, eyebrow and cheekbone ... Then it sets off the TN ... Sigh ...
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