Head pain that is chronicle can be a thing that is debilitating, but not all headaches are the same. One specific condition known as occipital neuralgia, does not originates from the brain itself, but from the nerves that are irritated or injured in the upper neck and scalp. The recognition of it's pattern of symptoms that is unique is the first step that is crucial toward a diagnosis that is accurate and also towards a treatment that is effective.

The primary symptom of occipital neuralgia is a pain that is distinct and based on the nerve. It is most often a thing that is described by patients as a sensation that is sharp, stabbing and like an electric shock or as a discomfort that is persistent, burning, aching and throbbing. This pain is a thing that is mapped precisely along the path of the occipital nerves, typically starting at the base of the skull and radiates upward to the scalp and this is often behind the eye on the side that is affected.

Several features that are key for the differentiation of this from migraines or from of headaches are tension. The pain is usually a thing that is one-sided. A sign that is tell able is sensitivity of the scalp that is extreme, even a light touch, the brushing of hair or lying on a pillow can trigger a pain that is severe. It is also possible for the scalp to feel tender, numb or tingly. Movement of the neck can sometimes be responsible for the provocation of symptoms.

Because it's symptoms can be for the overlap with other disorders of headache, diagnosis is a thing that often involves a nerve block that is diagnostic. In the event the pain is too much, an injection of anesthetic near the nerve can allow a complete relief of the pain. This clarity is a thing that is vital, as treatment - a thing which can include medications, nerve blocks, physical therapy or in some cases, surgical decompression - specifically targeting the inflamed nerve, a practice which is offering a pathway to relief that is lasting.