Chronic headaches, facial pain, neck tightness, or shooting nerve pain can disrupt every part of your day. If you’re struggling with conditions like occipital neuralgia or nerve compression in the neck, Dr. Ketan Sharma offers expert diagnosis and advanced surgical care to help restore comfort, mobility, and lasting relief.
What are nerve-related conditions
that can affect the head & neck?
The head and neck contain a dense and complex network of peripheral nerves, including cranial and cervical spinal nerves. These nerves control vital functions like facial movement, sensation, scalp feeling, and neck motion. When these nerves are compressed, irritated, or injured, they can trigger chronic pain, numbness, tingling, or even debilitating neurological symptoms. Understanding which conditions may be causing discomfort is the first step toward relief.
Nerve-related conditions that may affect the head include:
- Occipital neuralgia caused by irritation of the greater or lesser occipital nerves
- Trigeminal neuralgia leading to intense facial pain in the forehead, cheek, or jaw
- Supraorbital or supratrochlear nerve compression producing scalp or forehead pain
- Post-concussive or post-traumatic neuralgia after head injury
- Auriculotemporal neuralgia causing ear, temple, or jaw discomfort
- Peripheral nerve entrapments due to prior surgery, trauma, or inflammation
- Migraine-like headaches stemming from peripheral nerve dysfunction
What are the signs & symptoms of head & neck nerve dysfunction?
When nerves in the head and neck become irritated, compressed, or injured, they can produce a range of troubling symptoms. These symptoms often vary based on which specific nerves are involved. Common signs and symptoms of head and neck nerve dysfunction include:
- Sharp, stabbing, or electric shock-like pain in the face, scalp, or neck
- Persistent headaches that worsen with neck movement or touch
- Tingling or numbness along the jawline, cheek, or back of the head
- Muscle weakness or twitching in the face or neck
- Burning or throbbing sensations in localized nerve areas
- Sensitivity to light touch or pressure in the scalp or behind the ears
- Pain that radiates from the neck into the shoulders or upper back
- Difficulty turning the head or holding it upright for extended periods
Nerve-related conditions that may affect the neck include:
- Cervical radiculopathy caused by nerve root compression in the cervical spine
- Occipital neuralgia stemming from the irritation of the upper cervical nerves
- Thoracic outlet syndrome affecting nerves at the base of the neck
- Cervical entrapment leading to radiating pain in the neck and shoulder
- Referred pain from brachial plexus compression or upper spinal pathology
- Cervical dystonia or nerve dysfunction affecting neck muscle coordination
What are the treatments for head & neck nerve dysfunction?
Diagnosing head and neck nerve dysfunction begins with a thorough evaluation, including a detailed physical exam and a deep understanding of your symptoms and history. Dr. Sharma emphasizes hands-on assessment and nerve-specific testing to pinpoint the exact source of pain or dysfunction. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, Dr. Sharma curates a personalized treatment plan to relieve pain, restore function, and address the root cause of your issue. Depending on your condition, treatment options may include:
- Targeted nerve decompression surgery to relieve pressure on affected nerves
- Nerve repair or reconstruction to restore damaged nerve function
- Peripheral nerve blocks for diagnostic clarity or temporary relief
- Surgical neurectomy or joint denervation for persistent, localized nerve pain
- Pain mapping and selective nerve stimulation for complex chronic pain cases
- Scar tissue or neuroma excision for post-surgical or post-traumatic nerve pain
- Referral for specialized physical therapy when appropriate for nerve recovery
Why choose Dr. Sharma for head & neck conditions?
Dr. Ketan Sharma is a board-certified hand and nerve surgeon with advanced expertise in treating complex nerve conditions of the head and neck. With a background in neuroscience from Johns Hopkins and training at institutions like Duke and Washington University, Dr. Sharma brings unmatched precision to diagnosing and surgically correcting nerve dysfunction. His patient-first approach emphasizes careful physical examination and a deep understanding of chronic pain, especially when other providers haven’t found answers.
Patients choose Dr. Sharma for his:
- Expertise in peripheral nerve surgery and microsurgical techniques
- Deep understanding of nerve anatomy in the head, neck, and upper body
- High success rates with surgical decompression and nerve repair procedures
- Thoughtful, patient-centered approach to treating chronic pain
- Proven ability to restore function and quality of life when others could not
If you’re experiencing chronic head or neck pain and suspect a nerve issue, schedule a consultation with Dr. Sharma to explore your treatment options.
