Occipital Neuralgia Treatment

Occipital neuralgia is a type of headache that has its origins in the base of the skull. It is characterized by a sensation described as a cycle of pain then spasms that radiates all around the head, and including the back of the eyes. Typically caused by trauma, pinching or compression of the occipital nerves that run from the top of the spine to the back of the head, treatment is relegated to pain management.

Symptoms

• Occipital neuralgia is typically characterized by what is described as a "ram's head" feeling of pain, beginning at the back of the neck and radiating in up on the side of the head. This can be accompanied by a sensitive scalp, associated pain behind the eyes, and a sensitivity to light that is often worse with a headache.

Non-Medical Treatment

• Before resorting to medical treatment, simple bed rest can be used to help treat the symptoms associated with occipital neuralgia. Should this prove ineffective, treatment involving medication will be undergone.

  Beyond basic rest, non-medical, alternative treatments include acupuncture, which is used to balance the energy, or "chi," in the body; heat, which can help with the reduction of inflammation; and light massages of the scalp.

Medication

• Basic treatment typically involves non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen or, conversely, corticosteroid injections such as prednisone used in conjunction with nerve blockers. This mix of drugs can lead to permanent pain relief after one injection, though more than one is typically necessary. These are designed to reduce inflammation in the area and control pain. Stronger treatments include the utilization of antidepressants or anticonvulsants, which work by inhibiting pain-causing nerve impulses.