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Occipital neuralgia
Our multi-disciplinary neuroscience team at HCA UK can diagnose occipital neuralgia and provide long-lasting pain relief
About
Occipital neuralgia causes intense, shock-like pain in the back of the head, as well as migraine-type symptoms. It's often caused when the occipital nerve, which travels along the neck and up to the base of the skull, becomes trapped. Routine activity such as brushing the hair or lying with your head on a pillow can trigger an attack.
Need to know
Symptoms of occipital neuralgia include:
- episodes of stabbing pain, which last seconds to minutes
- pain on one side of the head
- strange sensations along the scalp, back of the head and neck
- the area may feel extremely tender
- there may be a dull ache in between attacks
Your consultant will discuss your symptoms with you to help make a diagnosis. CT scans of the spine and an MRI scan may be ordered — this is to examine the area in more detail. Often, arthritis between the first and second vertebrae in the neck can trap the occipital nerve, causing pain.
Anti-inflammatory medication can often relieve the symptoms of occipital nerve pain. Physiotherapy and massage can also relieve the pain.
Nerve blocks are another option. Here, a neurologist injects local anaesthetic into the occipital nerve at the back of the head. This manages pain for up to three months.
Occipital nerve stimulation is another type of treatment. This is where electrodes are placed against the nerves through a small operation and a battery-powered generator is implanted under the skin of your chest. This sends mild electric currents to the back of your head, blocking the pain signals.
Our Occipital neuralgia locations
London Neurosurgery Partnership
78 Harley Street W1G 7HJ London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David's gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.