Occipital neuralgia is a chronic pain condition caused by irritation or compression of the occipital nerves — small sensory nerves that arise from the upper spine and supply the back of the head, scalp, and upper neck. When these nerves become inflamed or trapped, they can produce intense, stabbing, or shock-like pain in the back of the head and behind the eyes.
Typical symptoms include:
Common causes include nerve compression by tight neck muscles, postural strain, whiplash injury, arthritis of the upper cervical spine, or post-surgical scarring. In some cases, no clear structural cause is identified (idiopathic occipital neuralgia). Because it can resemble migraine or tension-type headache, expert diagnosis is essential to ensure the correct treatment.
At Wessex Pain Clinic, diagnosis begins with a detailed history and examination, focusing on pain location, character, and triggers.
We may use MRI imaging of the neck and head to rule out other causes such as cervical disc problems, vascular compression, or structural lesions.
Our physiotherapy and rehabilitation specialists focus on improving posture, neck mobility, and muscle balance to reduce strain on the occipital nerves. Hydrotherapy provides gentle, low-impact exercise to ease stiffness and tension.
Our pain psychology partners support patients in managing the emotional and functional impact of chronic head and neck pain through relaxation and cognitive behavioural strategies.
When appropriate, we collaborate with neurologists and neurosurgeons to ensure comprehensive, integrated care.
At Wessex Pain Clinic, we work as a team and meet regularly to discuss complex, treatment resistant or unusual cases. As such you will often receive the expertise of several pain consultants. We believe that we are one of very few pain clinics to offer this.
We may prescribe:
Medication plans are reviewed regularly to ensure maximum relief with minimal side effects.
Our consultants perform occipital nerve blocks, using local anaesthetic and corticosteroid to relieve inflammation and pain.
If symptoms recur, radiofrequency neuromodulation can provide longer-lasting pain control by gently deactivating the irritated nerves.
In severe or refractory cases, occipital nerve stimulation (a form of neuromodulation) may be considered — a minimally invasive implant that delivers mild electrical pulses to modulate pain signals.
Our friendly team is on hand to support you every step of the way. Please get in touch at any time.
