What is Occipital Neuralgia? Occipital neuralgia is a type of headache that involves the occipital nerves — two pairs of nerves that run from the top of the spinal cord up through the scalp. This headache happens when the occipital nerves are inflamed or injured. Doctors don’t know what causes occipital neuralgia. It’s hard to diagnose because the symptoms of occipital neuralgia are like the symptoms of other headaches and migraines. #fblifestyle | Dr. Muhammed Ziya