Occasionally, either the C2 or C3 nerve root can get pinched as it leaves the cervical spine. These are mostly sensory nerve roots, and if they are pinched it can cause a chronic headache. Pain is generally felt in the back of the head or the occipital region.
Occipital neuralgia is characterized by sharp, painful, electric-shock-like sensations on the back of the head, neck, and ears. The pain is typically one-sided and begins in the upper neck and spreads to the head. Occipital neuralgia is caused due to irritation or injury to the occipital nerve.
The headache can usually be relieved through one or a combination of nonsurgical treatments, including:
- An injection of Lidocaine/steroid around the nerve root to relieve the inflammation and numb the area
- NSAIDs to relieve the inflammation
- Chiropractic adjustment
In very severe cases (which are rare), a surgical decompression of the cervical nerve root may be needed to relieve pressure on the nerve.
