Occipital neuralgia is a distinct type of headache characterized by piercing, or stabbing pain in
the upper neck, back of the head, and behind or above the ears. This is more typically one sided
but can occur on both sides of the head. Typically, the pain of occipital neuralgia begins in the
neck and then spreads upwards. The location of the pain is related to the areas supplied by the
greater and lesser occipital nerves, which run from the area where the spinal column meets the
neck, up to the scalp at the back of the head. The pain is caused by irritation or injury to the
nerves, which can be the result of trauma to the back of the head, pinching of the nerves by
overly tight neck muscles, compression of the nerve as it leaves the spine due to osteoarthritis,
or tumors or other types of lesions in the neck. Localized inflammation or infection, gout,
diabetes, blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), and frequent lengthy periods of keeping the
head in a downward and forward position are also associated with occipital neuralgia. In many
cases no cause can be found, however pain is diminished temporarily by a local injection at the
nerve site.
1 - Content taken from the NIH.Gov NINDS Occipital Neuralgia Information Page
Occipital Neuralgia
Our Office Has Moved!
We are still located in
601 East Hampden Ave
but we are now in
Suite 390
Resources
Colorado Neurological Institute
American Headache Society
National Headache Foundation
American Academy of Neurology
Contacts
601 E Hampden Ave Suite 390
Englewood, CO 80113
(720) 336-4300
