“Occipital neuralgia” Do you know this term? Expert and experienced doctors agree that this disorder causes abrupt, terrible back of the skull and behind the eye pain. Such pain comes from inflammation of the adjacent or occipital nerve. Rising from the superior end of the spinal cord, sometimes known as the posterior part of the apex, the nerve runs across the scalp. It can be fairly severe and sometimes results in no diagnosis at all since it often resembles a migraine or another kind of headache.

People sometimes question whether will occipital neuralgia go away when it strikes. Come discover out with me; keep tuned to this blog!

Symptoms of Occipital Neuralgia

Below are the indications of Occipital neuralgia

• You have severe sharp pains that are serious enough to hamper your functioning.
• Piercing, cutting, or tickling and shocking like pain at the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the eyes.
• Patients may also have Photophobia or, in other words, intolerance to light.
• Very Sensitive skin or scalp.

Will Occipital Neuralgia Go Away by Itself?

This depends on the actual reason for this problem and the degree of the linked pathology. Some of the symptoms may calm down on their own or with the help of supportive measures, and in other cases, the person will need professional help and medication to alleviate the situation.

• Mild Cases: In mild cases, the symptoms of occipital neuralgia may subside with time through the following – Avoiding any activity that causes pain for some time,  Avoid slouching and instead maintaining a good posture, and Taking over-the-counter drugs.  The activities that are likely to worsen them should be minimized, and some minor procedures such as stretching as well as gentle massage may help to minimize the occurrence of the condition in the long run.
• Chronic or Severe Cases: Occipital neuralgia for people who have constant or sharp pains is not something that you can ignore as it would go away on its own. The repeated irritation or injury of the nerve usually demands treatment that may include but is not limited to drugs, physiotherapy, or blocks.
• Identifiable Triggers: Positive changes include identifying the cause and if it is due to factors that are easily reversible as muscle tension, and poor posture among others, good physical therapy, change of lifestyle, and or adjustment of ergonomics can assist in treating the condition. However, if the cause of the problem is more deeply rooted, such as other spinal degenerative diseases, much pain can still be expected without enough intervention.

Therapies Concerning Occipital Neuralgia

The first one is to perform occipital nerve block while the second one is to give occipital neuralgia treatment using local anesthetic agents. However, there are always ways of exercising self-care and such mild symptoms may be eased by simple remedies, but if the problem persists, a doctor should be consulted. Here are common approaches:

• Self-care and Home Remedies

Minimize movement of the neck and stay away from movements that would put pressure on the spine.

Heat or cold packs should be used in a bid to reduce the pain and inflammation.

Some of them are light movements like massaging the neck or any of the muscles, situated at the rear part of the neck.

• Medications

The nerve pains are managed by muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants.

An occipital nerve block or local anesthetic injection can be performed to block the nerves that cause head or nerve aches and may only be a temporary solution.

• Physical Therapy

Exercises done to contract neck muscles and exercises targeting the inter and extradural spaces can relieve nerve compression and pain.

• Nerve Stimulation

Occipital nerve stimulation refers to the process of anesthetizing the occipital nerves using a small electrical device to prevent signals that cause pain. It is used for conditions that are resistant to other treatments or are acute long-standing conditions.

• Surgical Intervention

In rare and extreme circumstances, surgical procedures such as decompression surgery might be recommended to remove the pressure exerted on the occipital nerves. But this is mostly considered as a treatment of last resort after several other methods have been tried and found not to be effective.

When to Seek Medical Attention

In case the manifest symptoms of occipital neuralgia persist or aggravate, it is crucial to contact a healthcare professional. Complications may arise from it if left untreated thus early intervention may be a good idea especially if the issue is severe or chronic like severe continuous or intermittent pain in this case. undefined

• Pain is worsening or becoming more frequent than before.
• Abnormal movement, including loss of balance or coordination.
• Tingling, or loss of sensitivity, particularly in the arms or legs.
• Pain and stiffness of the head and/or neck.

Wrapping Up

Occipital neuralgia is not a life-altering situation for most, but it can be managed once one gets proper medical care. Some cases may get better with time and self-care, but severe or persistent cases need the assistance of a doctor. Knowledge of these conditions, whether chronic or acute and being treated appropriately can reduce pain and enhance the quality of life. If you have symptoms that suggest occipital neuralgia, you should speak with a healthcare professional or you can visit Migraine Surgery Specialty Center to explore the best treatment options.