Occipital Neuralgia

Effective exercises for managing occipital neuralgia include: ① Chin Tuck — strengthens deep cervical flexors and corrects forward head posture; ② Lateral Posterior Neck Stretch — pull the ear toward the shoulder and hold for 30 seconds; ③ Shoulder Rotation Exercise — relieves trapezius muscle tension. The principle is to avoid exercises with excessive range of motion during the acute pain phase and to gradually increase the intensity during the subacute and chronic phases. Swimming (backstroke) and yoga (focusing on neck relaxation) are also helpful. Refrain from high-intensity weight training and vigorous ball sports before symptoms subside.

Perspective of a Korean Medicine Clinic

In Korean medicine, appropriate movement plays a role in promoting the circulation of Qi and blood and maintaining the flow of meridians. Since vigorous exercise can actually worsen blood stasis when Qi and blood are stagnant, movements should be adjusted according to the stage of treatment. At Dongjedang, we advise avoiding vigorous exercise on the day of acupuncture or needle acupuncture treatment, and we provide a cervical spine stabilization exercise program tailored to the recovery stage. The effects of exercise appear more quickly when Qi and blood circulation becomes active.