Trigeminal & Occipital Neuralgia Pain Management Specialist in Tampa, FL
Headaches and facial pain are two of the most common complaints shared by patients. Depending on the severity and frequency of headaches and facial pain, they cause patients to miss work, school or other planned activities. Nerve disorders and certain chronic conditions can also cause pain in the head and face. The pain might be dull, throbbing, or sharp, and discomfort might be accompanied by numbness, tingling, or nausea. Common head and facial pain causes and conditions include migraine and tension headaches, myofascial pain syndrome, neuralgia, and TMJ.
Four types of Neuralgia causing Headache & Facial Pain
Occipital Neuralgia occurs when the occipital nerves, which run from the top of the spinal cord upward to the scalp, become injured or inflamed, resulting in a constant aching throb. Occipital neuralgia pain might be felt on one or both sides of the top of the head, in the back of the head, or at the base of the skull.
Trigeminal Neuralgia affects the trigeminal nerves of the face, causing sharp facial pain that some describe as feeling similar to experiencing an electric shock. The two trigeminal nerves run down each side of the head, and each one splits into three branches that control sensations in different parts of the face. Thus, trigeminal neuralgia pain can be felt in any portion of the face, including the lips, jaw, eyelids, cheeks, nostrils, or forehead.
Supraorbital Neuralgia is characterized by persistent pain over the eye/eyesocket (supraorbital) region and forehead along with shocklike tingling in the distribution of the supraorbital nerve. It is also known as goggle headache, or swimmer's headache.
Supra-Trochlear Neuralgia causes pain in the medial (central) region of the forehead.
Steps in Diagnosing and Managing Headache & Facial Pain:
Clinical Examination
Diagnostic Nerve Block (Ultrasound-Guided)
What treatments are available?
Posterior View of Skull: Visualization of Occipital Nerves
Anterior View of Skull: Visualization of Trigeminal Nerve, Supraorbital Nerve, Supra-Trochlear Nerve and Infra-orbital Nerve
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Kalava to get back to doing the activities you enjoy
