Occipital neuralgia is another type of headache that brings sharp, throbbing pain at the back of your head. It develops when the occipital nerves which stretches from the spinal cord going up to the scalp is irritated or compressed.
Some of the main reasons may be due to accident, firm neck muscles, arthritis, and even posture. At other times it occurs without much provocation. This can make management of the condition difficult but not at all feasible.
This pain usually begins on the nape of the neck and may extend to the head or behind the eyes. Thus some feel millet pain, tingling, or sensitivity on the affected areas. It can mimics migraines so a proper diagnosis is very important.
Occipital neuralgia can be assessed by a physical examination as well as by imaging studies. Depending on the doctor, they will examine your medical history and eliminate other causes briefly. It is nevertheless clear that earlier diagnosis results in earlier alleviation.
The treatment in this case tries to reduce pain while at the same time trying to find out the source of pain. For this type of strain, rest, heat therapy and light neck stretching are of help. Even using basic over-the-counter medicines for pain can work for sometime only. During chronic pain, the patient may be given nerve blocks, muscle relaxants or physical therapy from a doctor.
In worst scenarios, the practitioner may consider invasive procedures such a s occipital nerve stimulation or surgery. These are not generic and therefore givepermanentsolutions.
If you suffer from occipital neuralgia, you must consult a doctor. Talk about your symptoms and think about the therapy. It can find relief, and you do not need to solve it the same way you have been trying alone. Take the first step in avoiding pain now!