Guide To The Causes Of Occipital Neuralgia

Occipital neuralgia occurs when the nerves running from the top of an individual's spinal cord to their scalp become injured or inflamed. This inflammation of the occipital nerves leads to pain in the base of the skull or back of the head. While occipital neuralgia is often confused with a migraine, it's important to get the correct diagnosis so patients can treat the condition effectively. Several issues can cause occipital neuralgia, and anything that leads to irritation or excess pressure against the occipital nerves can increase an individual's risk. In some cases, individuals may be aware they have an injury. In others, the development of symptoms might surprise them.

Read about the causes of occipital neuralgia now.

Tight Neck Muscles

Tight neck muscles can lead the occipital nerves to become pinched, pressurized, or injured. Individuals are also more likely to experience a muscle injury if the muscles in their neck are tight. An individual's neck is considered stiff if they have difficulty moving it in certain directions, particularly to the side. Affected individuals might also experience soreness. Plenty of circumstances can cause the neck muscles to tighten, including sleeping with the neck in a strange position or holding it abnormally for long time periods. Prolonged anxiety and stress can cause the neck and shoulder muscles to tense up as well. Slouching and poor posture when sitting or standing can hurt an individual's muscles, as can repetitive motions like turning their head side to side as they swim.

Continue to learn more about what causes occipital neuralgia now.