First off, what exactly is occipital neuralgia? This is a pain and spasm associated with the occipital region of the head and the occipital nerves. The occipital nerves originate in the upper cervical spine. The occipital muscles are at the base of the skull in the back of the head.

Pain with this condition tends to be a pain and or headache. It often starts out in the upper neck and back of the head but can travel to other parts of the head, most commonly behind the ears and eyes. Massage, PT, and chiropractic treatments may help significantly. Typically nerves get compressed from muscle inflammation. Massage and chiropractic adjustments help to loosen the muscles and spine allowing the inflammation to dissipate. The physical therapist may do muscle therapies along with exercises and stretches to achieve the same.

Alarmingly, Massage, PT, and chiropractic treatments are commonly the second recommended treatments for occipital neuralgia. Medications such as muscle relaxers and pain injections are often suggested to occipital neuralgia sufferers by their doctors first. Unfortunately, these do not have lasting effects and the problem soon returns. Medication should be your last resort for this condition.

The Miracle Of Arc4life’s Cervical Traction Neck Pillow…The traction pillow has significantly helped individuals with neck pain and headaches. However, arc4life has never specifically run any studies regarding occipital neuralgia. Over the period of a few years numerous individuals commented on how this neck pillow helped their condition. In fact arc4life has shipped this product to patients all over the US, United Kingdom and Australia specifically for this conditions.

Looking back, it completely makes sense because the pillow is specifically designed to improve the neck alignment relieving nerve pressure. It helps correct forward head posture and gives gentle traction. Forward head often contributes to the condition because it pulls on the muscles in the back of the head and often straightens the neck curve which reduces the room the nerves have to travel away from the spine.

If you or someone you know suffers from head or neck neuralgia, consider trying Arc4life Cervical Traction Neck Pillow

Patient Feedback (added time to time when we hear from our patients)
For 3 years I have been suffering with excruciating headaches caused by
Occipital Neuralgia. Nothing helped the “ice pick” to the brain, pain. Until
this Arc4life pillow. It has changed my life and I want to shout it from the
roof tops. Almost no headaches anymore and if I do, short and never
excruciating anymore. I will never sleep without one again.Thank you so
much! – Scout (July 17, 2011)

Best Pillow for Occipital Neuralgia– I too was looking for a pillow for the last 4 months. I randomly ordered the cervical traction neck pillow thinking it would be another pillow that truely wouldn’t be comfortable. I could not believe how well it worked. I did not have to worry about the pressure building on the base of my head with this pillow. Albeit it does take time to get used to this pillow as it is correcting your posture. Give it a try and I hope it works for you too!– PostureDude (April 11, 2010), www.mdjunction.com/forums

Additional Reading Resources:

• The Neck Pain Associated with Occipital Neuralgia
• Smaller Cervical Muscles may be Responsible for Pain into the Head
• 6 Ways to Improve Your Neck Posture
• Get Rid of Headaches and migraines for Good
• Arc4life’s Cervical Linear Traction Neck Pillow
• Understanding how the traction pillow works to correct one’s neck posture
• Occipital Neuralgia on Wikipedia