What is Occipital Neuralgia? (Neck-Origin Headaches Radiating to the Eye and Forehead)

Occipital neuralgia is a problem that causes pain starting from the back of the skull, originating from the scalp, and radiating to the eye and forehead on the same side due to compression or injury of the occipital nerves passing through the upper levels of the spinal cord. Often mistaken for migraines, this problem causes complaints of headaches starting from the neck and spreading to the eye. The causes of these pains can be blockages in the upper cervical (upper neck) joints, muscle spasms, or myofascial tensions. These can be caused by sleep and sleep position disorders, fatigue, stress, poor sitting posture, or trauma. If you have headaches radiating from your neck to your eye on the same side, consult your physiotherapist. Especially in manual therapy, the causes of this problem are quickly identified and treated with techniques such as manipulation, mobilization, specific stretches, myofascial release, and acupressure.