If you suffer from occipital neuralgia, you know how painful and frustrating it can be. This condition can make even the simplest tasks difficult to do.
But don’t worry; several occipital neuralgia home treatments can help relieve your symptoms. This blog post will discuss the best occipital neuralgia treatments and supplements you can use at home to relieve your pain!
What are the best occipital neuralgia home treatments?
The best occipital neuralgia home treatments include a combination of supportive pillows, relaxation techniques, exercises, and pain supplements. However, occipital neuralgia is a severe condition, and it is essential to seek proper medical care before starting any treatment.
What is occipital neuralgia?
Occipital neuralgia is a type of neck pain that occurs when the nerves in the occipital region, which run from the base of the skull to the top of the spine, are irritated or damaged. These nerves transmit sensation from the scalp to the brain.
Symptoms
Occipital neuralgia can cause a sharp, shooting pain in the back of the head and neck and tenderness and numbness in the affected area. The condition is often caused by occipital nerve injuries, such as a car accident or a fall. However, it can also be caused by inflammation or compression of the nerves, such as from tumors or bone spurs.
The pain may be aggravated by movement of the head or neck, and it can lead to difficulty sleeping and concentration.
Best occipital neuralgia home treatment
Dietary changes for occipital neuralgia pain
While occipital neuralgia can be caused by various factors, including injuries and tension headaches, dietary changes can also help reduce or eliminate the pain.
Studies have shown that certain foods, such as processed meats and dairy products, can trigger inflammation in the body. Systemic inflammation can aggravate nerve symptoms in an already compromised nerve. If the occipital nerves are already irritated due to compression or injury, more inflammation can cause more pain.
Eliminating these foods from your diet, or at least reducing your intake, can help to reduce the amount of occipital neuralgia pain you experience. In addition, increasing your intake of anti-inflammatory foods, such as leafy greens and omega-3-rich foods, can help reduce the inflammation that may aggravate occipital neuralgia pain.
Making simple dietary changes can go a long way in helping to reduce occipital neuralgia pain.
If making dietary changes seems daunting, meal delivery services are a great option to start eating better.
Our favorite is Hello Fresh.
Key Features:
- Easy to follow recipes
- 30+ recipes every week
- Cancel anytime
- Custom meal design (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.)
- High-quality ingredients
Price – starts at approximately $10/serving at Hello Fresh.
Meditation for pain relief
Meditation is a practice that has been used for centuries to promote relaxation and inner peace. Recent studies have also shown that it can help manage headache pain.
Meditation can help lower stress and anxiety levels, which are often contributing factors to pain. In addition, meditation can help to improve sleep quality, another important factor in managing pain.
Meditation is a safe and effective way to manage occipital neuralgia pain at home.
It can be intimidating to start a new habit, but fortunately, there are great tools to help you.
Our pick:
Ziva offers online classes with three pillars of learning: mindfulness, meditation, and manifestation.
Key Features:
- Learn how to manage day-to-day stress
- 15-day course to practice mindfulness, meditation, and manifestation
- Learn the science behind the practice
Price – $47/month at Ziva
Pillows to sleep
Proper pillow support can be an effective way to manage occipital neuralgia pain. When lying down, pillows should be placed under the neck and head to support the head’s weight and keep the spine in alignment.
Check out our complete list of top pillows for occipital neuralgia.
A pillow can help to reduce pressure on the nerves and alleviate pain. In addition, pillows can prop up the head when sitting or reclining, which can also help reduce stress on the nerves and relieve pain.
Our pick:
If you’re looking for a pillow that will provide both comfort and support, Tuft & Needle’s Original Foam Pillow is a great option. It’s dense enough to support your neck and back but light enough to prevent you from overheating at night.
Key Features:
- The breathable foam design helps to wick away heat and moisture
- Supportive through neck and shoulders
- Light enough to keep from heating up
- Designed to adapt to your body
- 100-Night Trial
- 3-Year Limited Warranty
- Free Returns
Price – $90 at Tuft & Needle
Home yoga programs
Yoga is an excellent way to occipital neuralgia pain. Yoga helps to stretch and strengthen the muscles in the back of your head and neck, which can help to relieve pressure on the nerves.
In addition, yoga helps to increase blood flow to the area, which can help to reduce inflammation. Finally, yoga helps to relax the mind and body, which can help to reduce stress levels and relieve tension headaches.
If you are experiencing occipital neuralgia pain, home yoga programs are a great way to start finding relief.
Our pick:
Livestream and on-demand yoga classes make this a versatile option for new and experienced yogis. In addition, YogaWorks will allow you to choose the type of yoga with professional instructors and the ability to customize your yoga program.
Key Features:
25+ daily live streaming classes
1300+ on-demand classes
Variety of yoga styles
Price – $19/month at YogaWorks
Home neck massage
Home neck massagers can help to reduce the neck pain associated with occipital neuralgia from poor posture or repetitive neck strain.
These devices use pressure and vibration to massage the overly tight neck muscles of the cervical spine to relieve tension and knots, providing relief from neck pain.
In addition, home neck massagers can also be used to increase blood flow to the area, which can help to reduce inflammation. If you are suffering from occipital neuralgia, a home neck massager may be a helpful tool for managing tight neck muscles your pain.
Our pick:
The Necka from ReAthlete has it all – it is a portable Shiatsu neck and shoulder massager that provides heat. You can also use it on other areas, including the back, legs, and arms. In addition, it puts very gentle pressure on the cervical spine and tight neck muscles.
Key Features:
- Wireless
- Rechargeable
- Portable
- Up to 1 hour of massage time
- Includes Travel bag
Price – $199 at ReAthlete
Home exercises
Many people suffering from occipital neuralgia find relief through home exercises. Several different exercises can be beneficial, depending on the individual case.
For example, stretches that focus on the neck and shoulders can help to loosen tight muscles and ease tension. Strengthening exercises can also help relieve pain by increasing support for the head and neck.
Overall, home exercises can be a cost-effective and accessible way to find relief from occipital neuralgia pain. You can check out a complete set of exercises for occipital neuralgia that we put together for you.
Natural supplement support for occipital neuralgia
Several natural supplements can help to relieve occipital neuralgia pain.
Capsaicin
Capsaicin is derived from chili peppers and is known for reducing pain. When applied topically, it helps to block pain signals from reaching the brain. Studies have shown that capsaicin can be effective in lowering occipital neuralgia pain.
Our pick:
NeuriteRx
Designed specifically for neuropathic pain, NeuriteRx is a solid and effective topical salve to soothe occipital neuralgia pain. Apply directly to the neck muscles for occipital neuralgia treatment.
Price – $44.95 at AytuHealth
Magnesium
Magnesium helps to relax muscles and relieve tension headaches. It also plays a role in nerve function and is necessary for healthy immune system function.
Our pick:
Cymbiotika
Cymbiotika’s topical magnesium oil spray is a topical spray to help ease occipital neuralgia pain. It goes on quickly to provide immediate relief with application to tight neck muscles to treat occipital neuralgia pain.
Price – $36.00 at Cymbiotika
Medical Treatment
Medical treatment for occipital neuralgia can range from prescription medication to physical therapy, surgery, or occipital nerve stimulation. Let’s take a quick look at some medical treatment options for occipital neuralgia.
Prescription medication
Several prescription medications can treat occipital neuralgia, including targeted nerve stimulation, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy is one treatment option that can help to relieve pain from occipital neuralgia. Physical therapists can use various techniques to stretch and massage the occipital nerves, providing relief from pain.
In addition, physical therapists can teach patients exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles in the back of the head and neck. These exercises can help to prevent further irritation of the occipital nerves.
Chiropractic care
Chiropractic care can help to relieve occipital neuralgia pain by gently manipulating the bones and soft tissues of the neck and head. This helps to relieve pressure on the occipital nerve and allows it to heal.
In addition, chiropractors may also recommend specific exercises and stretches that help to strengthen the muscles and reduce tension in the neck and head.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture care is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat various conditions for centuries. In recent years, acupuncture has increasingly been used to relieve occipital neuralgia pain.
During an acupuncture treatment, thin needles are inserted into the skin at specific points on the body to help release blocked energy and promote healing.
While scientific research on the efficacy of acupuncture for treating occipital neuralgia is limited and mixed, many people who have tried it report significant reductions in pain. If you are considering acupuncture for occipital neuralgia pain, be sure to consult with a qualified practitioner.
Corticosteroid injections
Corticosteroid injections can offer pain management for occipital neuralgia, a condition that causes debilitating neck pain. The injections reduce inflammation of the occipital nerves at the skull’s base.
In some cases, corticosteroids can also help to reduce nerve irritation and pain. However, the number of injections varies, and it is essential to choose a specialist who works with occipital neuralgia daily.
While they are not a cure for occipital neuralgia, injections can provide significant relief from the pain and allow patients to resume their normal activities. Occipital nerve blocks are also recommended for occipital neuralgia treatment. Occipital nerve blocks can lessen nerve activity and provide needed chronic pain relief.
Surgery
Surgery can help to relieve pressure on the occipital nerves and provide long-term pain relief. Several different types of surgery can be effective, depending on the cause of the occipital neuralgia. Decompression surgery is one option that can help to relieve pressure on the occipital nerves by removal of any surrounding tissues that may be putting pressure on the nerves.
Another option is targeted nerve stimulation, which involves implanting a small device that sends electrical pulses to the occipital nerves. This can help to block pain signals from reaching the brain.
Surgery is often considered a last resort for occipital neuralgia, but it can be an effective way to provide long-term relief from chronic pain.
Conclusion
There are several different occipital neuralgia treatments that can be done at home, depending on what works best for you. Home exercises, natural supplements, and home neck massagers can help relieve occipital neuralgia pain.
You can also check out our complete set of exercises for occipital neuralgia. Consult with your doctor first to ensure it is safe for you, whichever occipital neuralgia treatment you choose.
If you found this article helpful, please share it with others who may be suffering from occipital neuralgia pain.