An occipital nerve block is a steroid or other medication injection around the occipital nerves located on the back of the head directly above the neck. One of the most common conditions occipital nerve injections treat are chronic headaches, which affect an estimated 5% of the world population. Individuals who are experiencing chronic head pain may benefit from an occipital nerve block in order to regain a higher quality of life and find relief from their symptoms. Some of the most common conditions an occipital nerve block can treat include:

• Chronic migraine
• Chronic cluster headaches
• Tension headaches
• Episodic migraines
• Episodic cluster headaches
• Occipital neuralgia

This minimally-invasive injection aims to help patients living with moderate to severe chronic headaches find a solution that actually works. This type of injection works so well because it can reduce swelling and inflammation around the occipital nerves. Most patients experience immediate relief from pain and other symptoms linked to the irritation of the occipital nerves. For many, the type of pain associated with the occipital nerves begins at the back of the head near the neck, radiating into the rest of the skull. This type of injection blocks the chronic signals that are sent to the brain and perceived as headache pain. Depending on the condition being treated, patients may experience relief for up to several months at a time.

When a patient comes into Crescent Pain Relief for an occipital nerve block, they will receive medicine to the specific region where the occipital nerve crosses the skull. In most cases, the patient will lie on his or her stomach during the procedure. Some people experience immediate relief. This is a highly-effective treatment that is used to:

• Manage pain that affects the back of the head or one side of the head
• Offer relief for those who have shooting, zapping, stinging, or burning pain in the back of the head
• Relieve pain from spondylosis of the cervical facet points
• Provide comfort from a tender or painful scalp (this is often the sign of an inflamed or irritated nerve)

Here at Crescent Pain Relief, we believe in doing everything we can to offer you a wide range of services and therapies that treat different forms of pain. We understand how pain and discomfort can impact your everyday life and are therefore committed to finding a solution that works for each individual patient. No matter how hard you try to ignore it, chronic head and neck pain will undoubtedly have an impact on your overall quality of life. Thanks for treatments like occipital nerve blocks, we are able to provide patients of all different ages and conditions with relief. To learn more about occipital nerve blocks or schedule an appointment with Dr. Shaikh, please give us a call today.