Occipital neuralgia is a painful condition that occurs when the occipital nerves that run from the top of your spine to your scalp are compressed or irritated.
Occipital neuralgia is a painful condition that causes neck pain and is often accompanied by a headache.
Read What Is Causing My Neck Pain and Headache?
Occipital neuralgia symptoms and causes
If you have occipital neuralgia, you may experience one or more of these symptoms:
- Throbbing, aching pain or sharp, electric-like pain that typically starts where the back of your head meets your neck.
- Pain that radiates to one side of your head, down your neck and/or back.
- Pain behind your eye.
- Increased sensitivity of your scalp.
See Occipital Neuralgia
These symptoms can be caused by irritation of the occipital nerves along their path, which may occur:
- Spontaneously, as a result of a pinched nerve root in your neck due to an injury or surgery. Commonly the roots of C2 and/or C3 at the top of your cervical spine are affected.
See The C1-C2 Vertebrae and Spinal Segment
- Due to irritation/compression from tight neck muscles. This muscle tightness may be associated with physical or emotional stress.
See Cervical Spine Anatomy
The exact cause of occipital neuralgia may not always be determined. You may experience migraines or tension headaches simultaneously with occipital neuralgia.
See How Neck Pain and Headache Can Occur Together
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Finding occipital neuralgia pain relief
Here’s how you can ease painful occipital neuralgia symptoms:
- Apply ice/heat therapy. Ice therapy may reduce local inflammation and relieve pain. Tuck an ice pack under the base of your skull as you lie down. However, you may find more relief using heat therapy, such as an electric heating pad. When you apply heat to the affected area, local blood vessels are dilated and blood
flow to the neck increases, which can reduce muscle tightness. Don’t apply the cold/heat source for more than 20 minutes at a time. Always use a barrier, such as a hand towel, between your skin and the cold/heat source.
See How to Apply Heat Therapy
- Take NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are over-the-counter medications such as
ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (e.g., Aleve). Taking them may help reduce inflammation and relieve headache/neck pain. Follow the instructions on the labels and discuss with a physician or pharmacist to make sure you’re using these medications safely.
See NSAIDs: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
- Give yourself a neck
massage. Apply gentle pressure from your fingertips at the base of your skull. This massage can help calm tight muscles and release tension. You can also place a rolled towel under your head and neck as you lie down on your back. The pressure from the towel can provide a gentle massage. Stop immediately if the massage aggravates your pain.
See Massage Therapy for Chronic Stiff Neck
- Do chin tucks regularly. Some cases of occipital neuralgia may be related to poor posture stressing the nerves. The chin tuck exercise aims to stretch the muscles and connective tissue in the painful area and strengthen the muscles that align your head over your shoulders. Stand with your upper back against a wall, feet shoulder-width apart. Face forward, tuck your chin down, and pull your head back until it meets the wall. Try to bring your
head back in a straight line without tilting it back or nodding forward. Hold the stretch for 5 seconds before resting, and repeat 10 times. If this exercise increases pain or discomfort, stop immediately.
See Easy Chin Tucks for Neck Pain
If these self-care tips don’t ease your occipital neuralgia pain, visit a health care provider. You may find relief through prescribed pain medications and/or a guided physical therapy program. A doctor may even consider offering a steroid injection to help relieve inflammation and reduce the pain.
See Treatment for Neck Pain
Learn more:
Physical Therapy for Neck Pain Relief
Neck Exercises for Neck Pain
Ever wonder why you get pain at the base of your skull?
It can be very concerning, even more so if it spreads. We asked out expert team of Bodyset physiotherapists to share their advice on the possible causes, and ways to relieve the pain.
Tension headaches
So you’ve Googled ‘Pain at the base of my skull’ and you’re wondering what’s causing it… In a nutshell, the cause of the pain is usually down to a tension headache.
Tension headaches are caused as a result of muscle tension and trigger points which build up in the surrounding muscles of the neck and head. All the muscles which control the movement of the neck are very small. They are all accountable for very subtle movements of the upper cervical spine and skull. These muscles can come under tension for various reasons such as:
- Eyestrain
- Adopting a slouching posture
- Stress
- Trauma
However, stress is the most common cause of tension headaches.
What is the pain like?
This pain is known to be described as a dull heaviness, which starts at the base of the head, and spreads round like a band across the eyes. It can also move through your neck, to the back of your shoulders, and to the fibres of your upper trapezius. As such, these muscles may be very tender to touch or stretch.
Different types of headaches
There are two types of tension headaches; episodic and chronic. Episodic headaches can last from 30 minutes, right up to a week. These are infrequent and will occur less than 15 days within a monthly period. On the other hand, a chronic tension headache can occur for more than 15 days in a month and last over 3 months. If the pattern of your headache changes, frequency increases to more than twice a week, or you are concerned that the headache has become chronic, then you should seek medical advice from your physiotherapist or GP.
Why do I have pain at the base of my skull?
Occipital Neuralgia is a specific type of pain which can occur in the base of your skull. This pain is easily confused with tension headaches. However, there are a few differences between the two. Occipital Neuralgia is characterised by piercing, throbbing or electric shock like pains in the upper neck, base of skull and back of the ears. The skull may also be sensitive to touch, and looking into light will be uncomfortable.
Causes of these symptoms include irritation or injury to the greater and lesser occipital nerves. This can be acute, from a trauma, or a gradual onset due to tightening of the muscles surrounding the neck and compressing the nerves. The positives being, it’s not life-threatening and can be easily treated with heat, rest, anti-inflammatories, and physiotherapy treatment plan.
How to eliminate your tension headache
Ensure you are up to date with you eye examinations.
Whether that is having your first eye examination or booking in for a review if it has been over two years since you’ve last been for one.
Check your workstation!
You should not be slouching into your chair or leaning forward to reach the screen. Your feet should be flat on the ground with a 90-degree angle from your hips to your knees. You should aim to rest your elbows on the armrests or table and aim to keep your back straight and supported. If in doubt, ask for a desk assessment from your employer.
Keep your neck and head as mobile as possible
Try and take regular breaks as this encourages you to naturally move your head and spine. This also prevents muscles from tightening up.
Introduce yoga or meditation
These activities can help rid any tension headaches which may be caused by stressed.
In addition to this, adopt a lifestyle which is beneficial to your health. This includes getting enough sleep, not smoking, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. Finally, remember to drink plenty of water and limit your alcohol, caffeine, and sugar intake.
Reach out for help
If you’re experiencing a niggling pain that won’t go away, then book in to see one of our expert Bodyset physiotherapists. We’re here to help you get the best out of your body so you can get back to doing more of what you love.
Our 25+ clinics are conveniently located in towns and city centres around the country, and we’re open for early morning, lunchtime, and evening appointments to suit your schedule.
Not sure you need to see a physiotherapist for a full assessment?
Book in for a quick 15-minute health check instead!