NINDS Occipital Neuralgia Information Page: NINDS

Article title: NINDS Occipital Neuralgia Information Page: NINDS
Main condition: Occipital neuralgia
Conditions: Occipital neuralgia

What is Occipital Neuralgia?
Occipital neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder caused by irritation or injury to the occipital nerve located in the back of the scalp. Individuals with the disorder experience pain originating at the nape of the neck. The pain, often described as throbbing and migraine-like, spreads up and around the forehead and scalp. Occipital neuralgia can result from physical stress, trauma, or repeated contraction of the muscles of the neck.

Is there any treatment?
Treatment is generally symptomatic and includes massage and rest. In some cases, antidepressants may be used when the pain is particularly severe. Other treatments may include local nerve blocks and injections of steroids directly into the affected area.

What is the prognosis?
For most individuals with occipital neuralgia, the pain is eliminated or reduced with treatment and does not interfere with daily activities.

What research is being done?
Within the NINDS research programs, occipital neuralgia is addressed primarily through studies on pain. NINDS vigorously pursues a research program that seeks to find new treatments for pain and nerve damage and to understand the underlying biological processes associated with pain.

Organizations

American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
P.O. Box 850
Rocklin, CA 95677-0850
ACPA@pacbell.net
http://www.theacpa.org/
Tel: 916-632-0922
Fax: 916-632-3208

National Chronic Pain Outreach Association (NCPOA)
P.O. Box 274
Millboro, VA 24460
ncpoa@cfw.com
Tel: 540-862-9437
Fax: 540-862-9485

National Headache Foundation
428 West St. James Place
2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60614-2750
info@headaches.org
http://www.headaches.org/
Tel: 773-388-6399 888-NHF-5552 (643-5552)
Fax: 773-525-7357

This fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it.Provided by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

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