What is an occipital nerve block?
An occipital nerve block is a procedure in which a local anesthetic and corticosteroid is injected near the base of your skull to reduce inflammation and pain surrounding the occipital nerve(s). The greater occipital nerve is your largest cranial nerve and when it becomes irritated it can cause headaches, migraines, and neck pain.
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Who is a candidate for occipital nerve blocks?
Patients who experience chronic neck pain, headaches or migraines that haven't responded to other treatments may be a candidate for occipital nerve blocks. During your consultation, your physician will go over your medical history, complete a physical exam, and review any diagnostic imaging to determine if your pain could be caused by your occipital nerve(s). This procedure can also be done diagnostically to confirm if your occipital nerve(s) are the cause of your pain. Occipital nerve blocks can also be used as a precursor to an occipital nerve RFA.
How is an occipital nerve block performed?
We can perform occipital nerve blocks in our on-site procedure suite. Using ultrasound guidance, your physician will inject local anesthetic and corticosteroids directly around the nerve. The local anesthetic is used to provide immediate pain relief, as well as comfort during the procedure, while the corticosteroids are used to decrease inflammation and provide long term relief. These procedures can be done in less than 30 minutes and require no downtime.
If you think your headaches, migraines, or neck pain may be caused by occipital neuralgia, contact our office, located in midtown Manhattan, to book a consultation with one of our physicians.
