What Causes Intermittent Right-sided Sharp Pain In Head Towards Back?

Posted on Mon, 15 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 Answered on

Mon, 6 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a sharp pain that comes and goes on the right side of my head towards the back. The pain does feel like it's on the inside but just on the surface.

Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Occipital neuralgia probable.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms you are experiencing.

That description of short lasting, localized, sharp pain seems compatible with a neuralgic pain, pain due to irritation of a nerve. Considering your localization it is probably irritation of the occipital nerve, often associated with cervical issues like degenerative changes of the spine.

Management starts with conservative means like physical therapy and over the counter pain killers like Ibuprofen, followed in chronic cases by anticonvulsants (gabapentin, pregabalin) or antidepressants (amitriptyline, duloxetine). If persistent or worsening other alternative might be local nerve blocks (improvement after its application is also a diagnostic test to confirm the diagnosis).

I remain at your disposal for further questions.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar