Pain in this area is often due to inflammation or injury of the occipital nerves.
ON affects 3.2 out of 100,000 people per year, according to one report by the American Migraine Foundation.
Occipital nerve pain is often confused with different types of headaches, especiallymigrainesbecause the symptoms can appear similar.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
However, the treatment for occipital neuralgia is much different than treatments formigraines and headaches.
Therefore, it is important for people to get a correct diagnosis for their head pain.
Injuries that inflame and pinch the nerves of the neck can also cause ON pain and symptoms.
Stressed Nerves
ON affects the nerves that run up the neck.
Nerve compression can also affect people who do repetitive manual jobs as well.
Arthritic Conditions
Several types of arthritis affect the cervical spine, includingosteoarthritisandrheumatoid arthritis(RA).
This can eventually cause pressure and strain on the occipital nerves.
Diabetes
Those who suffer from diabetes have an increased risk for ON.
This is because diabetes causes neuropathy, or inflammation of the nerves themselves, including the occipital nerves.
Tumors and Infections
Tumors and infections are rare causes of ON.
Tumors of the cervical spine can put pressure on the occipital nerves.
Infections, on the other hand, can lead to trauma of the occipital nerves.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of ON can be made with a physical exam and medical history.
The physical exam includes the healthcare provider pressing on the occipital nerves to see if the pain is reproduced.
If pain is experienced, a diagnosis of occipital neuralgia is considered.
A nerve block can also help with diagnosis.
A shot is usually given in the occipital area to numb the nerve.
If pain relief is experienced from the injection, a patient is likely suffering from ON.
Some people may need more aggressive treatments, but surgery is rarely the right treatment option for ON.
Anti-epileptic medications and tricyclic antidepressants may help prevent symptoms of ON in some people.
NSAIDs can help bring down inflammation in the nerves while muscle relaxers may work to relax the nerves.
Nerve block injections may help to prevent pain associated with ON.
Pulsed radiofrequency is a technique that stimulates the occipital nerves and prevents them from sending pain signals.
This treatment is safe and has not been known to cause damage to nerves or tissues.
A Word From Verywell
Occipital neuralgia is rarely a serious condition.
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