Occipital Nerve Block | Pain and Spine Specialists

If you are one of the millions of individuals who suffer from chronic head and neck pain, an occipital nerve block could be the solution you're trying to find.
An occipital nerve block injection is a type of interventional treatment. It involves the injection of a local anesthetic and a steroid into the area around the occipital nerves just above the neck. This procedure aims to numb these nerves and reduce inflammation, providing relief from chronic headaches and neck pain symptoms.
Occipital nerve block injections fall under the category of minimally invasive interventional treatments. Unlike conventional methods that rely on oral medications, or alternative methods such as acupuncture or chiropractic adjustments, interventional treatments directly target specific nerves or areas of the body. This targeted approach often results in faster, more effective pain relief.
Occipital nerve blocks are effective for treating various types of occipital nerve pain conditions, including:
-Occipital Neuralgia: Occipital neuralgia is a type of headache that results from the irritation or injury of the occipital nerves. This kind of headache typically causes a sharp, shooting pain that radiates from the back of the head to the neck and scalp.
-Cluster Headaches: Cluster headaches occur in cyclical patterns or clusters. These headaches are characterized by intense pain that is focused around one eye and may be accompanied by tearing, swelling, and nasal congestion. To diagnose cluster headaches, doctors typically take a patient's medical history and perform a physical exam. They may also order imaging tests and perform nerve studies to rule out other potential causes of the headache.
-Migraines: Migraines are a type of headache that can cause extreme throbbing or pulsing pain on one or both sides of the head. This type of headache is often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound. Diagnosing migraines requires careful consideration of patient history, physical examinations, and a review of other potential causes of the headache. Doctors may also order imaging studies and other tests as needed. A neurological condition, often caused after injury or surgery, that results in severe chronic pain in the extremities. Spinal cord stimulation can help manage the severe and debilitating pain associated with CRPS by interrupting the pain signals before they reach the brain.
Our doctors will provide specific instructions regarding eating, drinking, and medication use before the procedure. They will also discuss any allergies or previous reactions to medications. For instance, Those who are allergic to steroids or other medications included in the injection should not have an ONB. People who are also on blood thinners or may have an active infection are also not appropriate candidates for this procedure. Finally, they may also ask that you arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
Our doctors will have you lay on your stomach while they numb the surrounding skin with a local anesthetic. This will help reduce pain and discomfort during the procedure.
Our doctors will then insert, with fluoroscopic guidance, a needle to the occipital nerves located above the neck area of the back of your head. The fluoroscopic guidance provides real-time imaging of the injection site so that the needle can precisely reach the target area.
Overall, the procedure takes a few minutes, and you will be awake the entire time. You may feel some pressure or a slight sting, but you should not feel severe pain.
Once the procedure is complete, you rest in the recovery area for a short period. Your doctor monitors you for any immediate side effects. You may experience numbness or tingling in the back of your head and neck due to the anesthetic. This is normal and should wear off within a few hours.
It is important to note that the relief from an occipital nerve block injection can be immediate due to the local anesthetic, but it is temporary. The steroid starts to work in about three to five days and provides longer-term relief.
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Can you do an occipital nerve block on the same day you do cervical prolotherapy injections?