There isn't a way to test for neuralgia, but doctors can generally make a diagnosis based on a description of your symptoms. The location of your pain is a big indicator. In the case of occipital neuralgia, your doctor will use an occipital nerve block to make an accurate diagnosis. This involves numbing your occipital nerve to see if the pain subsides. Similarly, your doctor may numb the back of your throat to properly diagnose glossopharyngeal neuralgia. In some cases it may be necessary to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood tests or a spinal tap to rule out other possible causes of your pain.
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