Consistent, severe pain in the head and neck region can bring daily life to a grinding halt. It can be shooting, blinding, throbbing, electric—no matter how you may specifically describe it, it’s terrible.
Nerve Pain Relief
Many times, pain in the head or neck may be neurological in nature. It could perhaps be the result of a pinched or compressed nerve, or damaged nerves that still cause trouble from a previous injury or accident.
We have extensive experience treating patients with occipital neuralgia and migraines, and have helped many patients relieve severe and chronic pain via nerve decompression, release, and other procedures. All cases are dependent upon a full physical evaluation and review of medical history, including the potential findings of other specialists.
While it is not possible for us to help everyone with head and neck pain, we are committed to helping those we can provide treatment for find significant or full relief from their symptoms.
We may be able to treat conditions including:
Occipital Neuralgia
This condition focuses on the occipital nerve system, a set of peripheral nerves (not your spinal cord). There are two greater occipital nerves that travel from the upper neck, through muscles, through the back of the scalp, and toward the top of the head. These nerves are supported by two lesser occipital nerves and two third occipital nerves.
The job of these nerves is to provide sensation throughout the back of the head and upper neck. They overlap and communicate with each other as part of this purpose.
Any interference or damage along the course of these nerves can result in pain, tingling, numbness and headaches. If these nerves are badly damaged or stretched, pain may be intermittent or continuous. An attack of pain may be stimulated by even the smallest, regular activities such as placing your head upon a pillow, brushing your hair, or just moving your neck the wrong way. In less severe cases, pain may only occur with heavier exertions such as sports or heavy lifting.
Milder cases of occipital neuralgia may be treated conservatively with medications, but more severe cases may require occipital release surgery.
Migraines
Migraine headaches affect millions of people every year. Some people may experience only one or two episodes per year, while others have one per month. There are some unfortunate individuals who may have headaches more often than not.
Clearly migraines can cause a significant interruption to life, work, family, and friends.
There is a wide range of treatments for migraine headaches, including medications, electrical stimulation, and mental health therapy (e.g. mindfulness and meditation). In cases where other treatments have had no effect, however, surgical release of specific nerve triggers may be beneficial.
Migraines can be focused in different locations, upon which release of different nerves may be helpful. This can include migraines that center in the forehead, temples, back of the neck and head, and around the eyes and nose. Current leaders in the field suspect that irritated nerves may be sending signals to the brain that cause these severe, debilitating headaches.
Contact us Today for Head and Neck Pain Treatment
If you:
- Suffer from occipital neuralgia with head and neck pain, or migraines;
- Have already tried other options to treat the problem, and
- Have consulted with other specialists and ruled out other potential causes
then our office may be able to help. We will conduct a full evaluation to determine what the source of your condition may be, and whether one of our procedures may provide you the relief you need.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call us at (410) 709-3868 or fill out our online contact form.
