Neck & Head

Occipital Neuralgia

Also called: Skull-base nerve pain

Irritation of the occipital nerves as they pass from the upper neck through dense muscles to the scalp. Produces electric, shooting pains up the back of the head, often with scalp tenderness. Frequently caused by muscle entrapment and upper-neck joint dysfunction — mechanically treatable causes.

Common signs

Sharp, electric, shooting pain from the skull base up the back of the head
Scalp tenderness — even brushing hair can hurt
Pain often one-sided, in bursts
Tenderness where the nerve exits at the skull base

Seek help now if

Neurological deficits accompanying the pain
New pattern after trauma
Fever, weight loss, or night sweats with headache

If any of these is sudden or severe, call 911 or go to an emergency room. For the others, get examined before you start self-care.

What to do first

An exam distinguishes this from cervicogenic headache and migraine — treatment differs
Reduce compressive habits: tight ponytails, hats, hoodies, and looking-down time
Gentle heat and suboccipital stretching often start relief

The longer road

Persistent cases respond to sustained upper cervical care plus posture and deep flexor work
If it truly is not responding, nerve blocks can confirm the diagnosis and provide a treatment window — conservative care continues alongside

Natural healing options we use

Upper cervical adjusting and suboccipital release
Manual therapy along the nerve's course
Attended e-stim and PEMF
Postural retraining to unload the skull base
B-vitamin and omega-3 nerve support

About imaging

Usually clinical. Imaging reserved for atypical features or trauma.

Daily self-care

Loose hairstyles; nothing compressing the skull base
Chin tucks and gentle upper-neck stretches daily
Limit prolonged looking-down positions

Book a visit Call 469-620-6245 All conditions

How we can help

Keep working on it at home

Once you have been examined and cleared to load it, these free home programs cover this part of the body.

Neck Bulletproofing Mid-back Bulletproofing The Body Audit: test your own range

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Please read: this page is education, not a diagnosis. A proper examination is how a condition gets confirmed and a plan gets built. See our medical disclaimer.