Occipital Headache

Occipital headache causes a specific type of headache due to irritation of the occipital nerve(s).  As the headache can be severe, patients sometimes mistakenly describe them as "migraine" headaches.   

Our Harvard trained pain management physicians, Dr. Kenneth Branton and Dr. Charles Ho, are board certified in both anesthesiology and pain medicine and have over 45 years of combined experience treating occipital neuralgia.

If you or somebody you know is suffering from these headaches, we have treatment options.  Call the Pain Management Centers of New England in Newburyport, MA or use our on-line scheduler to request an appointment.

Occipital headache causes a specific type of headache due to irritation of the occipital nerve(s).  As the headache can be severe, patients sometimes mistakenly describe them as "migraine" headaches.   

Our Harvard trained pain management physicians, Dr. Kenneth Branton and Dr. Charles Ho, are board certified in both anesthesiology and pain medicine and have over 45 years of combined experience treating occipital neuralgia.

Read below to learn more about occipital neuralgia headaches. If you or somebody you know is suffering from these headaches, we have treatment options.  Call the Pain Management Centers of New England in Newburyport, MA or use our on-line scheduler to request an appointment.

What are occipital neuralgia headaches?

We all have a right and left greater and lessor occipital nerve.  The nerves leave the upper part of the cervical spine and continue under the skin of the scalp. The function of these nerves is to transmit sensation from the scalp to the central nervous system, the brain.  When these nerves become irritated, a headache occurs along the distribution of these nerves. Often people will describe the headache as starting in the back of their neck or skull and then shooting up the scalp towards the eye, temple, and/or ear.

What are the symptoms of occipital headaches?

Headaches caused by occipital neuralgia may occur on one side of the scalp or both sides.  The pain may be constant or intermittent.  The quality of pain is often throbbing, electrical, burning, and/or jabbing.  People often experience tightness along the scalp and skin sensitivity.

Are there treatments for occipital neuralgia headaches?

Conservative treatment options should always be tried first.  Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen, muscles relaxants, gabapentin and topical skin agents may be effective. Massage, relaxation techniques and acupuncture are alternative therapies that may be considered.

Occipital nerve blocks can be quite effective in reducing the pain and frequency of occipital neuralgia headaches.  With this technique, a mixture of a numbing agent and a steroid is injected along the irritated occipital nerves to decrease pain.  At our pain management locations across the north shore and in Newburyport, MA, we perform occipital nerve blocks under ultrasound guidance to ensure accuracy. 

Call for your comprehensive pain management consultation today.