How to Sleep With Occipital Neuralgia
- 1). Treating the pain symptoms caused by occipital neuralgia is the best way to ensure a good night sleep because it's usually the symptoms that keep you awake. Oral medications may be prescribed by your physician to alleviate the pain. Over-the-counter medications are also available that will decrease inflammation and spasms, which, in turn, reduces pain.
- 2). Applying heat is another way to relieve the symptoms of occipital neuralgia that can often keep you awake at night. Heat aids in reducing inflammation. You can use heating pads, heat wraps, warm gel packs and even moist washclothes heated in the microwave.
- 3). Adjusting the position you sleep in can also help reduce the pain associated with occipital neuralgia, as sometimes these headaches are caused by a pinched occipital nerve. Never sleep in a crooked position because this can cause your head and neck muscles to become stiff and to contract, which can apply pressure to the nerve. Try sleeping with a pillow that supports your neck but that does not allow your head to be higher than your neck.
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