Are you also facing sleeping problems due to occipital neuralgia? Do you also want to know the best way to sleep with occipital neuralgia? We have got you covered.
Sleeping on your back with a comfortable and supportive pillow and bed is the best way to sleep with occipital neuralgia. Healthy sleeping habits and your doctor’s prescribed techniques can also help improve your sleep quality with this condition. In short, it’s all about avoiding pressure on the affected area.
This brief article will help you get a comfortable sleep with occipital neuralgia. You will learn about all the effective techniques and the ways to practice them below. Let’s get into its details without waiting any further.
How Does Occipital Neuralgia Affect Our Sleep?
Optical neuralgia causes certain effects on your body. These effects disturb our sleep. Here are some of the ways in which it affects our sleep.
- Neck or skull pain
- Scalp or forehead pain
- Constant or intermittent head pain
- Shooting head pain
- A tender scalp hurts when touched.
- Pain above the eyebrows
- A pinched nerve root causes pain.
- Painful, tight neck muscles
Now let’s take a look at ways to relax you from the effects of these problems and help you sleep better.
Tips For Sleeping With Occipital Neuralgia
Following are some proven tips for sleeping with occipital neuralgia. Applying these techniques will help ease your discomfort and help you sleep better. Let’s have a look at the details of these tips.
Sleeping Position:
Choosing the right sleeping position is crucial for individuals with occipital neuralgia. Sleeping on your back is the best position for this condition. It will help reduce pressure and discomfort.
Pillow To Use With Occipital Neuralgia:
Selecting a supportive pillow is essential. Choose a pillow that provides adequate neck support and helps maintain proper alignment. It will help reduce strain on the occipital nerve. Memory foam or cervical pillows are the best choice for this condition. An ideal pillow for this condition should have qualities like:
- Made from latex or memory foam
- Breathable or cooling
- Washable
Sleep Hygiene
Maintaining good sleep hygiene is very helpful when sleeping with occipital neuralgia. It helps improve the quality of your sleep. Following are some effective tips to maintain good sleep hygiene.
- Consistent bedtime routine
- Dark and cool bedroom
- Limit screen time before bed.
- Regular sleep schedule
- Comfortable mattresses and pillows
- Avoid caffeine late in the afternoon.
- Relaxation techniques before bed
- Limit daytime naps.
- Regular exercise routine
- Manage stress levels.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Mindful eating habits
Cold Therapy:
Applying cold packs to the back of your head or neck can help alleviate pain due to occipital neuralgia by numbing the nerves and reducing inflammation. Use a cloth or towel to protect your skin, and apply the cold pack for short durations. Keep it for 25 minutes with short breaks according to your comfort.
Otc Medicines:
Over-the-counter pain relievers are also helpful in managing pain and inflammation associated with occipital neuralgia. You can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for this purpose. Follow the recommended dosage and guidelines provided on the medication for the best results.
When Should I Visit A Doctor?
If the pain is persistent from occipital neuralgia and you haven’t had a diagnosis yet, then it’s time to visit a doctor. Normally, the pain is in the back of your head, but it may also spread to your eyes, ears, scalp, and forehead. The doctor will recommend the most suitable treatment option according to your condition.
Treatments:
These are some of the effective treatments for occipital neuralgia.
- Acetaminophen: Analgesic
- Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
- Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
- Cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant
- Occipital nerve blocks: local anesthetic or analgesic
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
Final Words
The best way to sleep with occipital neuralgia is to sleep according to the doctor’s instructions. Generally, a back-sleeping position coupled with a supportive pillow and bed is the best option.
Combining lifestyle adjustments with medical treatments is the best way to manage occult neuralgia. If the sleep disturbances are more frequent and the pain is causing problems in your daily life, you should get a complete diagnosis and start your treatment.
