what causes occipital pain
What causes occipital neuralgia? Occipital Neuralgia may occur spontaneously, or as the result of a pinched nerve root in the neck (from arthritis, for example), or as the result of prior injury or surgery to the scalp or skull. Sometimes âtightâ muscles at the back of the head can entrap the nerves.
Occipital neuralgia is a form of headache that causes pain along the upper neck and back of the head. The pain is in the distribution of the nerves known as occipital nerves (sensory nerves that run from the upper part of the neck to the back of the head). The pain can be throbbing, aching, burning, or can feel sharp and stabbing.