Occipital Nerve Blocks
Our Services
Occipital Nerve Blocks
Targeted injections that interrupt pain signals at the base of the skull to relieve chronic headaches and migraines.
What is Occipital Nerve Blocks?
An occipital nerve block is an injection of local anesthetic and steroid medication around the occipital nerves at the back of the head. These nerves run from the top of the spinal cord through the scalp and are a common source of chronic headaches, migraines, and occipital neuralgia. By blocking these nerves, pain signals are interrupted and relief can last weeks to months.
What to Expect
- 1
Evaluation to confirm occipital nerve involvement as a source of your headaches
- 2
The injection site at the base of the skull is cleaned and numbed
- 3
A small amount of local anesthetic and corticosteroid is injected around the nerve
- 4
Most patients notice relief within hours to a few days
- 5
Repeat injections can be performed to maintain long-term relief
Who This Treatment Helps
Patients with chronic migraines, occipital neuralgia, cervicogenic headaches, or cluster headaches who have not found adequate relief from oral medications are often excellent candidates for occipital nerve blocks.
Ready to discuss your options?
Our board-certified pain specialists are here to help. Call us or request an appointment at any of our four Southern California locations.