Migraine and occipital neuralgia can both cause severe head pain, but they stem from different sources and respond to different treatments. Migraines are a neurological condition often involving throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes visual disturbances, while occipital neuralgia is caused by irritation or compression of the occipital nerves at the base of the skull.
Migraine symptoms typically include moderate to severe throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, along with nausea and heightened sensitivity to light, sound, or movement. Occipital neuralgia, by contrast, tends to cause sharp, shooting, or electric-shock-like pain starting at the base of the skull that can radiate toward the scalp, sometimes with tenderness when touching that area.
Treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis. For occipital neuralgia, an occipital nerve block, a targeted injection of numbing medication and anti-inflammatory near the affected nerves, can provide both diagnostic confirmation and meaningful relief, often within minutes to hours. For chronic or frequent migraines, treatment may include a combination of nerve blocks, trigger-point injections for associated neck and shoulder tension, and coordination with medication management for prevention.
Because head pain can have overlapping causes, our evaluation focuses on identifying the specific pattern and triggers behind your symptoms before recommending treatment, so you’re not just managing pain, but addressing what’s actually causing it.