The nation's leading supporter of biomedical research on disorders of the brain and nervous system. 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.
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. For most individuals with occipital neuralgia, the pain is eliminated or reduced with treatment and does not interfere with daily activities. This fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it.