Occipital Nerve Block
The occipital nerve block is a minimally invasive injection that reduces inflammation and pain in the occipital nerves, offering fast relief for chronic headaches and migraines.
Share this page:
Occipital nerve blocks are a therapeutic management technique in which a local anesthetic is injected into the region surrounding the occipital nerves.
The occipital nerve block temporarily numbs or reduces inflammation around the occipital nerves at the base of the skull by injecting a local anesthetic and potentially a corticosteroid. This procedure is intended to relieve chronic headaches.
It has proven effectiveness in treating chronic headaches, particularly those that do not respond to medicine. It has both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, reducing symptoms over weeks to months.
Cluster headaches, episodic headaches, and chronic migraines are among the additional headache syndromes for which occipital nerve blocks can be used either alone or in conjunction with standard-of-care therapy.
The occipital nerve function:
The occipital nerve is a branch of the cervical nerve roots that emerges from the spinal cord and travels up to the back and then to the top of the head. It provides sensation to the skin at certain regions.
Occipital nerves are classified into three categories, which include:
• The greater occipital nerve (GON) is the largest occipital nerve. It sends sensation to the skin on the scalp from the lower back to the top of the head, ears, and the skin above the parotid glands.
• The lesser occipital nerve (LON) transmits feeling to the sides of the scalp's back and the surface of the visible area of the outer ear.
• The third occipital nerve (TON) transmits feeling to the skin on the middle lower back of your scalp.
In migraine and other headache conditions, such as occipital neuralgia, these nerves are frequently involved. An inflammation of the occipital nerve can occasionally cause pain close to the eye. These nerves may also cause headaches. Blocking the occipital nerve can occasionally lessen frontal headaches by preventing it from sending pain signals to the brain.
Dr. Abraham, board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at New England Advanced Spine and Pain Center for regenerative medicine, applies an occipital nerve block to relieve pain by injecting medication into the area where the nerve crosses the skull.
What is the purpose of an occipital nerve block?
Dr. Abraham might suggest an occipital nerve block if you are having neck or head pain. You may experience relief with this outpatient procedure if you suffer from:
• Spondylosis (osteoarthritis of the spine).
• Chronic headaches, including chronic migraine that does not respond to medications, may benefit from chronic headache treatment occipital nerve block.
• A painful scalp, which could indicate an inflamed nerve (occipital neuralgia).
The patients typically respond best to an occipital nerve block in the following cases:
• Experiencing relatively recent pain as opposed to chronic pain.
• Feeling a sensation of shooting, stinging, zapping, or burning in their head.
You shouldn't undergo an occipital nerve block until your general health improves if you are taking blood thinners, have an active infection, or have poorly managed diabetes or heart disease.
The occipital nerve block success rate is generally high, especially in carefully selected patients.
Mechanism of action of occipital neuralgia treatment:
At the base of the skull, Dr. Abraham administers an anesthetic and anti-inflammatory drug combination to the affected occipital nerves. This method lowers inflammation, stops abnormal pain signals, and determines whether the occipital nerves are causing the pain. Because of this, patients frequently find that their severe, throbbing, or radiating pain in the scalp, upper neck, or back of the head quickly goes away.
Occipital nerve block procedure:
1. You will lie on your stomach during an occipital nerve block.
2. Your pain management team numbs the area directly above the neck on the back of your head.
3. Once Dr. Abraham has identified the proper occipital nerve block injection site, he injects the local anesthetic and steroids into your scalp, where the nerve root emerges, using a very thin needle.
4. A specified volume of a local anesthetic, usually lidocaine or bupivacaine, is injected into the inner most layer, the subcutaneous layer.
5. You can typically drive home after the surgery and resume your regular daily activities the next day, as long as you follow occipital nerve block aftercare advices.
Occipital nerve block recovery time:
• The scalp on that side of the head will rapidly numb. Sometimes, occipital nerve block headache shows pain alleviation in a matter of minutes.
• Within 15 minutes of receiving therapy, you might experience occipital nerve pain relief; however, this varies from person to person. It can take a few days for others to have symptom alleviation.
• The effects of the steroids will intensify over the next few days, whereas the effects of the local anesthetic may subside in a few hours. Steroids can occasionally provide occipital nerve block long term effects.
• Additionally, the time it takes for symptoms to return might vary greatly, ranging from a few days for some people to months for others.
• Chronic headaches and occipital neuralgia are typically not cured by occipital nerve block; rather, it is intended to lessen their frequency and severity. For severe headaches, it is frequently used in conjunction with other therapies.
Occipital nerve block risks and side effects:
Occipital nerve block side effects are uncommon. For three to five days, you will have slight discomfort at the injection sites and temporary numbness over areas supplied by the occipital nerves. Speaking and swallowing difficulties are extremely uncommon and have only been observed to last a few hours at most.
General anesthesia is not necessary for occipital nerve blocks, which are performed as outpatient procedures.
Occipital nerve block benefits:
• Quick alleviation of neck and head pain due to the occipital nerve block anesthesia effect.
• Better daily activities and mobility.
• Assurance that the occipital nerves are the cause of the pain.
• Minimally invasive procedure with minimal recovery time.
• Incorporation into the long-term care plans for migraines and headaches
Occipital nerve block effectiveness and safety:
Our expert team at New England Advanced Spine and Pain Center for regenerative medicine safely and successfully performs occipital nerve blocks using image-guided procedures and evidence-based methods. Most patients are able to resume their regular activities the same day after the fast outpatient procedure.
Patients who are comparing treatment options such as occipital nerve block vs migraine medications or occipital nerve block vs botox often choose nerve blocks due to their minimally invasive nature and faster onset of relief.
An occipital nerve block might be the solution you need if you suffer from persistent headaches, neck pain, or suspected occipital neuralgia. Schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Abraham, board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at New England Advanced Spine and Pain Center for regenerative medicine.