What is occipital neuralgia?

The symptoms of occipital neuralgia may include:

• Shooting or throbbing pain at the base of the head or the temples (burning or shock-like sensations)
• Increased sensitivity in the scalp, where even the lightest touch can trigger pain
• Pain behind or in the eyes (sensation of pressure or burning)
• Tingling or numbing sensation in the neck and scalp (intermittent or continuous)

It should be noted that occipital neuralgia is easily confused with other conditions such as migraines and tension headaches. It is therefore essential to obtain an accurate diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment.

Occipital neuralgia can result from the following:

• Compression or irritation of the occipital nerve(s) caused by tight muscles or neighboring anatomical structures exerting excess pressure
• Injury to the neck, head or spine following a car accident, sports-related injury or fall
• Osteoarthritis in the cervical spine (neck area of the spine) which results in inflammation, restricts neck movement and causes contraction of the nearby muscles
• Incorrect posture or poor workplace ergonomics causing excessive pressure on the neck muscles
• Excessive emotional or physical stress leading to tense muscles in the neck and shoulders

Other conditions such as rheumatoid polyarthritis, hernia or a spinal cord malformation can also cause occipital neuralgia. Because this condition has a range of potential causes, its specific cause must be identified in order to begin the appropriate treatment.

At the American Hospital of Paris, our medical team treats patients presenting symptoms of occipital neuralgia using a comprehensive, specialized approach.  Our physicians perform an in-depth clinical and neurological exam to accurately evaluate the patient’s sensitivity and the associated symptoms.

A detailed patient history is also taken to obtain an overall picture of how the symptoms have evolved and identify any triggering factors. Lastly, a complete physical examination is performed to assess the scalp, measure blood pressure and make neurological observations.

At the American Hospital of Paris, we use advanced diagnostic methods to confirm occipital neuralgia. Radiography, while not always crucial to the diagnosis, can be used to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as migraines, hypertension headaches and cluster headaches. In some cases, our physicians may order an MRI or CT scan to obtain detailed images and determine whether there are any neuro-musculo-skeletal interactions involving the occipital nerve(s). These tests are used to make an accurate diagnosis and adapt the treatment plan to the individual needs of each patient.

At the American Hospital of Paris, our medical team offers a range of treatments to relieve occipital neuralgia, based on each patient’s individual needs. These may include:

• Conservative treatments: physiotherapy, relaxation and stress management techniques, changes in lifestyle and workplace ergonomics
• Drug therapy: pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants to calm the pain and inflammation
• Infiltrations: injection of corticosteroids in the affected area to reduce inflammation and relieve pain
• Cryotherapy: extreme cold is used to deactivate the nerve fibers that are causing the pain and inflammation and to stimulate healing in the damaged tissues
• Surgery: in extreme cases that are refractory to other treatments, specific surgical procedures may be employed to decompress or release the nerve

Each treatment plan is personalized according to the patient’s symptoms and individual needs. Our priority is to relieve pain and improve quality of life for our patients, with safe and efficient treatment solutions.