Description:
Occipital Nerve Blocks are minimally invasive and highly effective in lessening strength and decreasing the frequency of headaches. This procedure involves the injection of a long-lasting anesthetic around occipital nerves, which are a frequent cause of persistent headaches. If Occipital Nerve Blocks lessen the strength and frequency of headaches, then Occipital Nerve Ablation will be recommended. Occipital Nerve Ablation desensitizes a small area of the nerve tissue using an electrical current, which stops the transmission of painful signals.
Conditions Treated:
Occipital Nerve Blocks and Occipital Nerve Ablation are commonly recommended for patients with the following conditions:
- Migraines
- Persistent headaches
- Tension headaches
- Neck pain
What to Expect:
Occipital Nerve Blocks: procedure length <5min. Patients start experiencing significant relief from headaches almost immediately. The expected duration of pain relief is several days. Occipital Nerve Ablation: procedure length: <10min. Patients start experiencing significant improvement in the frequency and severity of headaches within 2 weeks following the procedure. The expected duration of pain relief is 12 months. If requested by the patient, this procedure can be done with IV sedation. Please note that if IV sedation is requested, the patient would need to bring a driver with them on the day of the procedure.