NERVE BLOCKS

Greater Occipital Nerve Blocks

This involves injecting a small dose of local anaesthetic and steroid round the greater occipital nerve, which is located at the back of the head, at the top of the neck. In most primary headaches there is an abnormal amplification. Of pain and other sensory signals that get sent to the trigeminal nucleus – area in the brainstem. The greater occipital nerve feeds onto the area. Therefore the block can reduce these signals.

This is one of the commonest procedures used to treat headache disorders. It can provide temporary benefits in approximately two out of three cases. These benefits are typically short-lived and may last a few weeks, but on occasion people get considerably longer periods of relief. The injection itself uses a fine needle and, while the local anaesthetic can sting a little, the procedure is generally well tolerated and only takes a couple of minutes. Benefit. Can be noticed after an hour or so but can take up to a week to begin.



There are a few rare side effects including a transient worsening of your headaches, and temporary hair-loss at the site or injection. It can be repeated every 12 weeks if needed.