First, let’s get the obvious out of the way! Can chiropractic help solve the intense debilitating pain of Occipital Neuralgia? The answer is resounding…
YES! But, before we get to how, let’s explore the what of Occipital Neuralgia so you can better appreciate how appropriate corrective and balancing chiropractic is for this condition.
According to the American Association of Neurosurgeons Occipital Neuralgia is a condition in which the occipital nerves that run through the scalp get injured or inflamed. The pain of occipital neuralgia can be severe in the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the ears. I find the same nerves involved in headaches that affect the temples and above the eyes.
Here’s a post of mine 5 Common Causes of Headaches.
The Occipital Nerves arise from the upper cervical spine between the first and second cervical vertebra, and between the second and third cervical vertebra. This is a very delicate area of the spine.
The Upper Cervical Spine
The upper cervical spine is a critical area for a number of reasons including:
- Balances the 11 lb weight of the head
- Home to the Occipital Nerves
- Home of the Brain Stem
When there is imbalance in the upper neck it causes a series of reactions and compensations in an attempt to restore balance.
The head weighs an average of 11 lbs, balanced delicately on top of the neck. If you look at someone from the side their ear should line up right above their shoulder. For every inch the head moves in front of the shoulder, it’s like adding another 11 lbs to the weight the small muscles of the neck must hold up.
As this happens the small suboccipital muscles in the very top of the neck go into spasm in an effort to balance this weight.
Brain Stem
The Brain Stem is home to the Autonomic Nervous System, which runs most body systems outside of your awareness. Misalignment of the upper cervical vertebrae can put tension on the brain stem and cause an activation of the sympathetic “fight-or-flight” system, driving up neck and shoulder tension and pain.
Occipital Nerves
When the upper neck gets jammed tight and the muscles go into spasm the delicate occipital nerves can get easily pinched. Sometimes this continues on for a long time without ever reaching the stage of full blown occipital neuralgia.
But, once you cross that threshold to occipital neuralgia it becomes easier to trigger it in the future.
Hopefully it’s clear that the upper neck is a delicate and sensitive area that is home to the brain stem and occipital nerves, and that it is responsible for balancing the weight of the head.
The Chiropractic Solution
The purpose of chiropractic care in general is to help the body return to a state of balance so that it may recover and heal. This principle applies whether we are talking about occipital neuralgia, tension headaches, asthma, acid reflux, low back pain or any other issue.
When I work with someone suffering from Occipital Neuralgia I focus on restoring their structure and nervous system to as much balance as possible. This includes the other end of the spine at the pelvis. For this discussion let’s focus on the area intimately connected to occipital neuralgia.
#1 The Skull or Occiput – the occiput must be balanced on top of C1 and must be able to nod back and forth as though you were gently nodding “yes”. There’s a reason they call C1 the Atlas. In Greek mythology the God Atlas held up the world and your Atlas holds up your world.
It is critical to the function of the upper neck, the nerves, and brainstem that the occiput have good motion. I just saw someone this afternoon with a left sided headache in the back of her head and above her left eye who had a restriction of her occiput on the left.
#2 Atlas or C1 – As I discussed, the Atlas holds up the skull. This is where most of the rotation of the neck takes place. Any malposition of the C1 vertebra can easily cause tension on the brainstem and result in significant tension, muscle spasm, and pain.
While it is important to free the occiput on C1, it is also critical that C1 is moving and aligned properly.
#3 C2 and Cervical Curve – The neck should curve forward. When the neck loses its curve it causes muscle tension and spasm throughout the neck, especially in the suboccipital area. When the neck curve straightens it moves the head forward which increases the tension on the muscles of the neck and shoulders.
Restoring motion to all the joints of the cervical spine and encouraging a restoration of the neck curve is critical to removing tension and irritation from the muscles and nerves of the cervical spine, including the occipital nerves.
#4 Vagus Nerve Activation – The Vagus Nerve is the key nerve of the Parasympathetic Nervous System. It passes right in front of the C1 vertebra. With chronic irritation, along with stress, the Vagus gets suppressed in activity. Most often it is insufficient to remove the irritation at C1. The Vagus also needs to be “exercised” so that it is able to do its job of rest, relaxation, and recovery.
If you suffer from occipital neuralgia do yourself a favor and find a chiropractor who specializes in balancing and correction. Believe it or not there are many chiropractors who never adjust the occiput and rarely adjust C1. Before you resort to injections and potential surgery, explore chiropractic.
If you suffer from frequent headaches of any kind, chiropractic care can correct the source of irritation to the nerves causing the headaches.
Make sure to subscribe to my social media pages where I regularly post tips, insights and valuable information.
Facebook: Life Chiropractic Facebook
YouTube: Life Chiropractic YouTube
Instagram: Life Chiropractic Instagram
Blog: https://lifewithinchiropractic.com/blog/
Schedule your first visit here: Life Chiropractic