Glossary
Glossary of Terms
Here’s a glossary of terms related to Occipital Neuralgia:
- Occipital Bone: The bone at the back of the skull that forms the base of the skull.
- Neuralgia: Sharp, stabbing, or burning pain along the path of a nerve.
- Cervical Spine: The upper part of the spine, consisting of seven vertebrae located in the neck.
- Nerve Compression: Pressure or pinching of a nerve, often leading to pain, tingling, or numbness.
- Occipital Nerves: Nerves located at the base of the skull that can cause pain in the back of the head and neck.
- Trigger Point: A sensitive area in the muscles that can cause pain or discomfort when pressed.
- Radiating Pain: Pain that spreads or extends from a central point to other areas of the body.
- Migraine: A severe headache often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, and visual disturbances.
- Chronic Pain: Persistent pain that lasts for weeks, months, or even years.
- Occipital Neuralgia: A condition characterized by chronic pain in the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the eyes, often due to irritation or injury of the occipital nerves.
- Nerve Block: A procedure where medication is injected near a nerve to block pain signals.
- Symptom: A physical or mental feature that indicates a condition or disease.
- Paresthesia: Abnormal sensations such as tingling, numbness, or pins and needles.
- Trigeminal Nerve: A cranial nerve responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as chewing.
- Headache: A pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck.
- Neurologist: A medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the nervous system.
- Diagnostic Test: A test or procedure used to identify a disease or condition.
- Treatment: The management and care of a patient to combat a disease or disorder.
- Medication: A substance used to treat or prevent disease or relieve symptoms.
- Physical Therapy: Treatment to restore movement and function to the body affected by injury or disability.
- Chronic Condition: A long-lasting condition that can be managed but not cured.
- Surgery: Medical treatment involving an incision in the body to repair or remove damaged tissue.
- Alternative Medicine: Medical practices and treatments that are not part of standard medical care.
- Acupuncture: A traditional Chinese medicine practice involving the insertion of thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body.
- Stress Management: Techniques and therapies used to reduce and cope with stress, which can exacerbate occipital neuralgia symptoms.