Greater and Lesser Occipital Nerve Blocks
What is an Occipital Nerve Block?
The occipital nerves run from the top of the spinal column up to the back of the scalp. An occipital nerve block involves an injection of local anaesthetic onto the area of the occipital nerves. This is performed in order to treat headaches arising from the following causes:
- Occipital neuralgia (pins & needles pain in the back of the head/neck)
- Whiplash injuries
- Tension headache
How are these Nerve Blocks done?
At Atlas Pain Care, first you will be admitted to the day surgery. In the procedure room, you will be positioned onto the X-ray table. The tender spots will be felt at the back of your skull. The area will then be cleaned with an antiseptic solution. Corticosteroid and local anaesthetic will then be injected into the target site under ultrasound guidance. Pressure will be applied to the area for a couple of minutes at the end of the injection.If both sides of the back of your skull are to be injected this may need to be performed approximately 30 minutes apart or on two separate occasions. When the pain relief is good, you will then be offered a pulsed radiofrequency of the occipital nerves - a procedure where the nerves are stunned by radiofrequency without heating it up - to provide long-term benefit. Please read our FAQ section to know more.
What are the complications of Occipital nerve blocks?
It is relatively safe procedure with minimal side effects like minor bleed and pain at the site of injection.