Botox for occipital neuralgia

Botox can relieve pain of occipital neuralgia, according to a pilot study by neurologists in Ohio, published in Headache.  Occipital neuralgia is a painful condition that manifests itself by pain in the back of the head, usually on one side.  Pain can be burning, but also sharp,or throbbing in character.  It is often the result of a spasm of occipital and suboccipital muscles, so it is not surprising that Botox would relieve this pain by relaxing these muscles.  In addition to relaxing muscles Botox also reduces activation of the sensory nerve that send pain messages to the brain.  Other treatments for occipital neuralgia include isometric neck exercise, acupuncture, medications, and occipital nerve block with corticosteroids and lidocaine.