Occipital Neuralgia

Applies to: Head, Neck

Occipital NeuralgiaOccipital Neuralgia is a condition caused by damage to the occipital nerves by trauma such as concussions, physical stress, repetitive neck movements, and, more rarely, osteochondroma, CSF Leaks, radiofrequency nerve ablation or certain cancers of the spine.

The main symptom of Occipital Neuralgia is a chronic headache.

Secondary symptoms include:

  • chronic pain of the upper neck, back of the head and behind the eyes
  • sensitivity to light
  • diminished physical sensation in upper neck, and back of the head

Often, the pain affects one side only, though it may occur on both sides if both the nerves are affected. The pain is often described as shooting, sharp, stabbing or like electric shocks. The amount of pain varies, lasting for a few seconds at a time to almost continuous pain for longer amounts of time.