At some point in your life, you do suffer fromoccipital neuralgia. Occipital neuralgia is a medical disorder that presentswith piercing, throbbing, or electric shock like chronic pain in the upper partof the neck, back of the head, and behind the ears. For some people, painpresents in the forehead behind the eyes or in the scalp, along with visionimpairments, tinnitus, dizziness, nausea, and even a congested nose.
Occipital neuralgia is a condition caused byirritation of greater or lesser occipital nerves, damaged occipital nerves fromsurgery/ brain lesions/ stroke/ or even trauma. Persons who are suffering fromoccipital neuralgia are often extremely hypersensitive. Light stimuli such astouching the neck or the back of the head can cause a painful attack, sometimeslasting as little as seconds or as long as minutes.
Occipital neuralgia is usually unilateral,meaning it is only one side of the head. It is common for occipital neuralgiasufferers to go under diagnosis for long periods or even be misdiagnosed assymptoms presented can be similar to those with migraine headaches. One keydifferentiating factor between occipital neuralgia and migraine is the lengthof episodes of pain.
If you have occipital neuralgia then do seek aprofessional who is an expert in dealing with headaches and migraines and whounderstands what the occipital neuralgia is. If you can get a definitivediagnosis that you do suffer from occipital neuralgia then there are safetreatment options.
Occipital neuralgia and occipital headachescan be treated conservatively with Physiotherapy.
PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT OF OCCIPITALNEURALGIA:
Treatment of occipital neuralgia at ourphysiotherapy clinic started with thermal therapy by application of moist heat.
Manual therapy: Physiotherapists do severalhands-on manual therapies such as- Manipulation & mobilization, and softtissue mobilization, etc.
Posture correction: correcting the bodyposture to keep the body in accurate alignment.
Muscle releasing and activation: Releasing theoverworking muscles and activating the underworking muscles to provide reliefand stability.
Stretching: stretching of anterior neckmuscles such as platysma and scalene stretch.
Chiropractic and osteopathic adjustment.
Foam rolling of the upper back.
Traction & Cervical mobilization.
Elite Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centreis equipped with international and latest technology modalities for better andfaster treatment of your problems such as- High-Intensity class 4 laser forfaster healing and reduction in inflammation, Super Inductive System (SIS) forjoint mobilization and improvement in mobility, and Combo Therapy, etc.
Our Physiotherapists also do some hands-ontechniques such as- Dry needling, Cupping, Hijama, and Deep friction massage,etc.
Home Exercise Programme: Chin tucks, shoulderretraction exercise, and cervical rotation with a towel, etc.