Occipital Headache

What is an occipital headache?

An occipital headache is usually defined as a sudden jabbing pain in the distribution of the greater or lesser occipital nerves. There is often accompanied by diminished sensation or tingling in the affected area.

What are some symptoms of an occipital headache?

Differentiating between occipital headache and other forms of headache may be difficult secondary to variability in presentation and considerable symptom overlap. Pain is usually localized in the distribution of the greater or lesser occipital nerves. The affected nerve is tender to palpation. Diagnostic injections have a role in not only differentiating different types of headaches, but also identifying the pain generator.

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