Occipital Neuralgia: Symptoms and How to Deal With It
The University of Maryland Spine Program and other research centers deal with the research and treatment of various kinds of spine disorders. Occipital Neuralgia is a very common disorder which they encounter regularly.
A reliable Spine and pain center Maryland offers several ways of providing relief to the patients who suffer from acute pain and throbbing in the head, behind the ears, and the upper neck. This disorder is not completely curable and might recur from time to time. However, proper therapy and medication can provide relief to the patient to a vast extent.
Here is a brief overview of what Occipital Neuralgia is and how to deal with it.
Symptoms of Occipital Neuralgia
Several reasons can cause the condition. Osteoarthritis is a predominant reason, while trauma or compression of the lesser occipital nerves can also cause this problem. Changes in the cervical spine, tumors in the C2 and C3 nerve roots, or cervical disc diseases are the other causes for the intense shock-like pain the patient suffers from.
The symptoms include sudden and severe pain that might generate in the head’s back and then spread to the scalp like an electric shock. Patients can also complain of pain behind the eyes and the base of the neck.
Some often experience symptoms associated with migraines and cluster headaches. In extreme cases, the patient might suffer from sharp, stabbing pain, traveling from one side of the head to the other.
Occipital Neuralgia Diagnosis in Maryland
Healthcare systems and spine treatment facilities in Maryland try to use the best available technology to determine the root cause of a patient’s problem. The specialists might ask questions regarding the nature of the pain and whether the patient is suffering from nausea as well.
Further neurological examinations are then advised by the Maryland specialists, often using magnetic resonance imaging or MRI tests. The tests can provide 3D images of the brain to show where the nerves are impinged, causing the pain. Doctors in Maryland also use occipital nerve blocks along with CAT scans to confirm their diagnosis.
Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia in Maryland
There are both surgical and non-surgical procedures available in Maryland for treating this problem, with the exact procedure depending on the patient’s diagnosis and the reason behind the pain.
Non-surgical pain treatment methods include anti-inflammatory medications, anticonvulsant medication, and physical therapy like massages with the use of heat pads. Oral medications and percutaneous injections are also prescribed.
Surgical methods include occipital nerve stimulation and spinal cord stimulation. In the former, doctors in Maryland use electrodes, placing them under the skin to stimulate the nerves. It is an FDA-approved device and minimally invasive. For the latter, the doctors place stimulating electrodes between the vertebrae and spinal cord to send electronic impulses to block pain messages.
Look for a spine and pain center in Maryland with extensive follow-up routines for the efficacy of treatments. There can be additional therapies, but the results are positive in most cases, making it one of the best treatment centers for Occipital Neuralgia in the entire region.
