Occipital Nerve Blocks Cervicogenic Headache and Chronic Migraine

Cervicogenic headaches and migraines are debilitating conditions that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. These headaches originate from the cervical spine, including muscles, joints, and nerve structures in the neck. Fortunately, there are various treatment options available, and one promising approach is the use of occipital nerve blocks. Because of the modern day lifestyle, most young individuals have cervical spine involvement, involving one or more structures out of above. These are one of the most common causes of loss of productivity in the professional age group.

What are Occipital Nerves?

The occipital nerves are a pair of nerves that emerge from the upper cervical spine and supply sensation to the back of the head and scalp. These nerves can become irritated or compressed due to various factors, such as muscle tension, injury, or degenerative changes in the cervical spine. When the occipital nerves are involved, it can lead to headaches or occipital neuralgias, often accompanied by pain, tenderness, and a shooting or burning sensation in the back of the head and neck.

What are Occipital Nerves?

The Occipital Nerve Block Procedure

Occipital nerve blocks are a minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting a combination of a local anesthetic and a low dose corticosteroid medication, using ultrasound guidance for precise nerve localisation, around the occipital nerves. The local anesthetic provides immediate relief by numbing the nerve and reducing inflammation, while the corticosteroid helps to reduce swelling and inflammation over a longer period.

The procedure is typically performed in an outpatient setting and takes only a few minutes. The healthcare provider will identify the location of the occipital nerves using imaging guidance. Once the nerves are located, a small amount of the medication mixture is injected around each occipital nerve using a thin needle. These nerves can also be blocked with the help of radiofrequency ablation procedures under ultrasound guidance.

Types of Headaches Treated with Occipital Nerve Blocks

Occipital nerve blocks can provide relief for several types of headaches, including:

Cervicogenic headaches

Migraines

Occipital neuralgia

Cluster headaches

Effectiveness and Duration of Relief

The usual duration of pain relief after these procedures varies from several weeks to several months. Upon return of pain in some individuals, these nerves can be subjected to radiofrequency ablation procedures, which provide longer lasting relief for years. Simultaneously working on the triggering factors and neck and cervical spine exercises help to prolong the relief further.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

While occipital nerve blocks are generally considered safe, there are some potential risks and side effects to be aware of. These may include injection site soreness, bleeding, infection, temporary numbness in the area, and some dizziness which lasts for a very short duration.

Seeking Professional Guidance

If you’re suffering from debilitating cervicogenic headaches, migraines, or other types of headaches related to the occipital nerves, don’t hesitate to seek relief. At Pain Medics Clinic, our team of experts specializes in occipital nerve block treatments, providing effective and personalized solutions to improve your quality of life.

Don’t let headaches and migraines dictate your daily routine any longer. Contact PainMedics Clinic today and embark on a journey towards lasting relief and a renewed sense of well-being.

Dr. Rajit Jhingan (Pain Specialist)
Dr. Rajit Jhingan (Pain Specialist)

Dr. Rajit Jhingan is an Interventional Pain Physician and a Certified Interventional Pain Specialist (CIPS) accredited by the World Institute of Pain (USA) - the first in the region to receive this certification.

With over 15 years of experience in Anaesthesiology, Pain Medicine, and Critical Care, he specializes in ultrasonography and fluoroscopy-guided pain interventions. His expertise includes PRP injections, nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and minimally invasive spine procedures, such as intradiscal ozone nucleolysis, transforaminal epidural injections, facet injections, and radiofrequency procedures for the facets. He also performs vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty and endoscopic spine interventions.

Previously, Dr. Jhingan served as a Senior Consultant at Max Superspeciality Hospital in Mohali. He is dedicated to providing advanced, non-surgical pain management solutions at Pain Medics Clinic.

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Dr. Rajit Jhingan
Dr. Rajit Jhingan

Pain Specialist
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