Effective Occipital Neuralgia Treatment in Los Angeles

Occipital neuralgia is a painful and often misunderstood condition that can significantly affect a person’s daily life. Many patients describe the pain as sharp, electric, stabbing, or burning, radiating from the base of the skull to the back of the head, sometimes even behind the eyes. While stress is one of the most common triggers, it is far from the only cause.

At Healing Hands Chiropractic, our experienced Occipital Neuralgia Treatment Chiropractor in Los Angeles specializes in identifying the true source of this debilitating pain and providing natural, targeted, non-invasive treatment. Instead of masking symptoms, we focus on correcting the underlying mechanical, neurological, and muscular problems that irritate the occipital nerves.

Why Occipital Neuralgia Occurs

Although many people notice flare-ups during stressful periods due to muscle tension in the neck, the condition can stem from many different medical and structural issues. Occipital neuralgia often develops after trauma to the head or neck, including car accidents, sports injuries, slips, and falls. When the muscles and connective tissues of the upper neck tighten, they can compress the greater or lesser occipital nerves, creating intense nerve pain.

Another frequent cause is cervical osteoarthritis. When the joints in the upper cervical spine degenerate, they may irritate or compress the nerve roots in the region. Herniated discs in the cervical spine are also surprisingly common contributors, especially among individuals who spend long hours working at a computer or looking down at a phone.

Less frequently, a neck tumor or severe structural abnormality may be involved, but these cases are rare. Infections affecting structures of the neck, such as the meninges or the intervertebral discs, may also refer pain to the occipital region.

Metabolic factors can play a role as well. Untreated gout sometimes affects the cervical spinal joints, creating sudden inflammation that triggers occipital pain. Diabetic neuropathy is another potential factor; high blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage that extends into the occipital region.

Finally, inflammation of the small blood vessels in the neck may put pressure on the nerves, producing the severe pain associated with this condition.

Occipital neuralgia often arises from a combination of structural problems, inflammation, muscle tension, and nerve irritation. That is why professional evaluation is essential.

Treatment Options for Occipital Neuralgia and Occipital Tendonitis

Mild cases may respond to simple home-based methods. Applying heat to the back of the head can loosen tight muscles and reduce nerve irritation. Gentle self-massage sometimes helps, although most people benefit far more from a professional therapeutic massage performed by an experienced practitioner. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications may offer temporary relief by reducing inflammation around the nerve.

However, when pain becomes persistent, recurring, or severe, more targeted and clinical interventions are needed.

Some physicians begin treatment with steroid injections in the affected area. These injections reduce inflammation but provide only temporary relief because they do not correct the structural issues that cause the nerve to become irritated in the first place. In certain cases, an anesthetic such as lidocaine is injected to temporarily numb the area.

Surgery is reserved for rare and advanced cases. If the pain does not respond to conservative treatments and imaging shows a structural blockage impinging on the nerve, a spinal surgeon may remove the tissue pressing against the occipital nerve. Most patients, however, do not require surgery and respond extremely well to chiropractic care.

How Healing Hands Chiropractic Treats Occipital Neuralgia

As a leading Occipital Neuralgia Treatment Chiropractor in Los Angeles, Healing Hands Chiropractic focuses on correcting the root cause of nerve compression rather than simply treating symptoms.

Treatment begins with a detailed evaluation of the cervical spine, posture, range of motion, muscle tension, and the specific nerve pathways involved. Many people develop occipital neuralgia because of subtle misalignments in the upper cervical vertebrae. These misalignments increase muscle tension and place pressure on sensitive nerve structures.

Through precise and gentle chiropractic adjustments, we restore proper alignment of the cervical joints, reduce nerve irritation, improve blood flow to the region, and allow the tissues to heal naturally. Patients often notice immediate reduction in pressure and tension around the base of the skull.

Soft-tissue therapy is another core part of treatment. The muscles of the upper neck frequently go into protective spasm when the nerve is irritated. Releasing these tight muscles allows the nerve to decompress and eliminates a major source of mechanical irritation. Myofascial release, deep tissue therapy, and targeted neck massage can reduce pain dramatically.

Some patients also benefit from cervical traction or spinal decompression. This technique gently opens the space between the cervical vertebrae, reducing pressure on the discs and nerves. When the cervical discs are the source of the problem, decompression therapy can provide substantial long-term relief.

For people whose occipital neuralgia is triggered by posture, ergonomic retraining is essential. The way you sit, work, sleep, and use your devices has a tremendous impact on the neck. Our chiropractic team evaluates your daily activities and provides clear guidance to reduce strain on the cervical spine.

Therapeutic exercises play an important role in long-term recovery. Strengthening and stretching weak or tight muscles stabilizes the neck, prevents future flare-ups, and helps maintain the progress achieved through chiropractic adjustments.

Why Choose Healing Hands Chiropractic?

At Healing Hands Chiropractic, we combine clinical expertise with a personalized, patient-focused approach. Every case is different, and we tailor treatment to the individual needs of each patient rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Our practice is known for its natural, drug-free, non-surgical approach to chronic pain. We focus on identifying the true source of nerve irritation and correcting it safely and effectively. Many patients report significant improvement after just one or two visits.

Whether your occipital neuralgia is caused by stress, trauma, posture, arthritis, or nerve compression, our goal is to help you return to a pain-free, comfortable, and healthy life.

Start Your Recovery Today

You do not have to live with sharp, burning, stabbing pain at the base of your skull. The right chiropractic care can relieve nerve compression, relax the muscles, improve alignment, and restore comfort.

Contact Healing Hands Chiropractic and begin your path to lasting relief today.