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If you’ve ever felt a sudden, electric shock-like pain that shoots from the base of your skull up through your scalp, you know how debilitating occipital neuralgia can be. This condition is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed as a regular headache or migraine but it’s different. Real relief starts with the right diagnosis and a targeted approach to treatment.
Occipital neuralgia can be intense but it’s also treatable. At our clinic, we specialize in identifying the root causes of nerve irritation and using gentle, non-invasive therapies to relieve pressure, restore proper function, and help you get back to a life free from constant pain. Schedule a consultation today with one of our expert sports chiropractic physicians at Hughes Health and take your first step toward relief!
About Occipital Neuralgia
& Anatomy That Contributes
Occipital neuralgia is a type of nerve pain that originates from irritation or compression of the occipital nerves, the nerves that run from the upper neck through the scalp. These nerves pass through muscles at the base of the skull and can become inflamed or entrapped due to muscle tension, trauma, or poor posture.
Unlike tension headaches or migraines, occipital neuralgia typically causes sharp, shooting, or burning pain that starts in the neck and radiates up the back of the head. Some people may also feel sensitivity on the scalp or behind the eyes. Understanding the anatomy of the upper cervical spine, surrounding muscles like the trapezius and suboccipitals, and how they interact with the occipital nerves is key to treating this condition effectively.
Common Causes of Occipital Neuralgia
Understanding Why It Happens
Occipital neuralgia can result from a variety of physical stressors or underlying conditions, including:
Chronic Muscle Tension: Tight muscles in the neck and upper shoulders—especially the suboccipital muscles—can compress the occipital nerves.
Poor Posture & Forward Head Position: Spending long hours hunched over screens can strain the upper neck and lead to nerve irritation.
Trauma or Injury: Whiplash, concussions, or falls can cause inflammation or structural changes that affect the occipital nerves.
Nerve Entrapment or Compression: Structural issues in the spine, such as disc degeneration or arthritis, can put pressure on the nerves.
Previous Surgeries or Infections: Scar tissue or inflammation from past medical events may alter how the occipital nerves move and function.
Common Conditions Related to Occipital Neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia is often confused with or exists alongside other conditions, including:
Cervicogenic Headaches: These headaches also originate from the neck but may involve more general pain and stiffness.
Tension Headaches: While typically more widespread and dull, chronic tension can overlap with occipital neuralgia symptoms.
Upper Cervical Joint Dysfunction: Restrictions or inflammation at the top of your neck can affect nearby nerves and mimic occipital neuralgia.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Trigger points in the upper back and neck may refer pain into the head, mimicking nerve pain.
Postural Syndrome: Long-standing postural imbalances can lead to both muscular and nerve-based pain patterns in the head and neck.
Treatments for Occipital Neuralgia
Find Relief Once & For All
Before we are able to treat your headaches at Hughes Health, we must perform a detailed consultation and examination. We start with a one-on-one consultation where our doctors truly listen. We want to understand how your headaches are affecting your life, whether it's keeping you from working, exercising, or simply enjoying time with family. This conversation helps us gather key details that point us toward the root cause of your pain.
In the examination, we assess your movement, muscles, ligaments, and joints using chiropractic, orthopedic, and functional movement testing. Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t working right. Our job is to find out why. Once we pinpoint the cause, we create a personalized treatment plan to restore function and get you back to living pain-free without unnecessary medications or surgery.
Sports Chiropractic: More Than Just Adjustments
At Hughes Health, we believe true recovery goes beyond spinal adjustments and manipulation. While we are chiropractors, we don’t just focus on your joints. We take a whole-body approach through Sports Rehabilitation to target the muscles and tissues that support you. Your body is more than just bones and joints, and your care should reflect that. By addressing movement, strength, and stability, we help you heal faster, stay active, and prevent future injuries so you can get back to doing what you love without limitations.
PiezoWave Focused Shockwave Therapy: Break Through Stubborn Pain
For chronic occipital neuralgia and the neck pain, PiezoWave Shockwave Therapy uses focused and targeted sound waves to:
Break up scar tissue and adhesions
Increase blood flow for faster healing
Stimulate natural tissue repair—without surgery or downtime
Deep Tissue Class IV Laser Therapy: Heal from the Inside Out
Our Class IV Deep Tissue Laser uses light therapy to reduce pain and inflammation at the cellular level. This advanced treatment:
Boosts your body’s natural healing process
Reduces pain and inflammation in just 5-10 minutes
Feels like a gentle, warming sensation—no discomfort, just relief
Spinal Decompression: Relieve Pressure, Restore Function
If you're struggling with the neck tightness associated with occipital neuralgia, Spinal Decompression Therapy provides a gentle, sustained stretch to:
Reduce pressure on your spine and nerves
Guide discs back into proper position
Work alongside chiropractic care and corrective exercises to help you heal and prevent future injuries
Soft Tissue Manual Therapy: Digging Deep
At Hughes Health, we specialize in a wide variety of techniques to address the soft tissue causes of the pain.
Dry Needling: This targets tight or dysfunctional muscles by inserting small acupuncture needles into specific muscles and their trigger points to release tension and promote muscle recovery.
Fire Cupping: Using heated cups to create a suction effect on the skin helps increase blood flow to relieve muscle tightness and reduce pain. This warming effect has been shown to be more effective than the dry suction counterpart.
Graston Technique: Using specialized tools, we gently break up adhesions in your muscles and tendons, improving mobility and encouraging proper tissue healing.
Myofascial Release: Active Release Technique (ART), also known as manual trigger point release, takes your muscles through dynamic movement to release tension and alleviate pain at its source.
Sport Rehab and Custom Exercises: Build Strength, Prevent Injury
Pain relief is just the first step. Staying pain-free while moving and grooving is the goal. Our Custom Therapeutic Exercise Programs help you:
Strengthen muscles and improve mobility
Fix imbalances that cause recurring pain
Get back to doing what you love with confidence
The Right Care, Every Time
At Hughes Health, your recovery comes first. While we specialize in advanced chiropractic care and personalized treatment plans, we also know when you need more. If our exam reveals that additional care is necessary, we’ll connect you with our trusted network of physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and pain specialists. No guesswork, no wasted time—just the right care for the best results.
Your health is our priority. Let’s get you on the path to recovery today!
Why Choose
Hughes Health?
We take pride in providing evidence-based non-invasive approaches to healthcare. Our goal is to identify the root cause of your discomfort and pain to then provide effective and personalized treatment plans to help you achieve long-lasting results. If you're experiencing any of the conditions listed above, don't hesitate to contact us.