Occipital nerve neuralgia

Neuralgia of the occipital nerve is one of the frequent causes of headache in the occipital region.

Causes of the occipital nerve neuralgia

It often occurs after hypothermia, drafts, in addition to severe catarrhal diseases, after neck and shoulder girdle muscles overstrain during prolonged sitting in one posture, and post-stress situations. The occipital nerve neuralgia is a frequent companion of cervical spine osteochondrosis and spondylarthrosis. In these diseases, the roots of the occipital nerve are stranded, which causes a pronounced pain syndrome.

Neuralgia can develop after head and cervical injuries, in addition to diabetes mellitus, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, encephalitis, and meningitis. In all above mentioned cases, they speak of secondary occipital nerve neuralgia. If the cause cannot be established, it is idiopathic (primary) neuralgia.

Symptoms of the occipital nerve neuralgia

It is characterized by paroxysmal burning pains in the hinthead, which can spread to the cervical spine, between the shoulder blades, to the lower jaw, ears, and forehead.

A patient with such a diagnosis tries not to move; does not tilt the head and does not twist the neck, because any movement can increase the pain. With the irradiation of pain in the forehead or temples, pain takes the nature of a migraine.

A distinctive feature of the occipital nerve neuralgia is its paroxysmal character (sometimes it can be “lightning”); between attacks the pain stays dull and pressing. During an attack, nausea and vomiting may occur. Bright light may cause ophtalmalgia.

In case of prolonged pain, there observed an increased skin sensitiveness of the occipital area- any touch can cause a pain attack (the patient is not even able to do his hair).

There is also tension in the muscles of the neck and soreness at the exit points of the occipital nerve and paravertebral points.

This patient is characterized by limited movements in the cervical spine.

Diagnostics of the occipital nerve neuralgia

The diagnostics of neuralgia is based on the clinical examination of the patient, his complaints, palpation of painful points. If necessary, the neurologist may need X-ray or MRI data from the cervical spine.

Medical tactics also depend on making the correct diagnosis and determining the cause of neuralgia, so it is very important to address a specialist for a medical help.

Please do not engage in self-diagnosis and self-medication – this can be dangerous for your health and aggravate the course of disease!

Treatment of the occipital nerve neuralgia

Treatment of neuralgia directly depends on the cause of the nerve fiber coning at the neck level. All these reasons are successfully and effectively eliminated by the method of metameric neuralgia treatment.

The scheme of metameric injections of cervical metamers for the diagnosis

“Occipital nerve neuralgia” has been developed by our doctors, and this scheme proves its effectiveness and uniqueness for several decades.

Specialists of the “Bersenev’s Medical Centre” have an extensive experience working with such patients and daily help people, who are exhausted by pain. They know how to treat the occipital nerve neuralgia and will be able to help you.

At our clinics you will get rid of occipital pain and forget about this disease.

To make an appointment for the consultation or neuralgia treatment session, please, call (044) 238-22-31.