Occipital Nerve Blocks

An occipital nerve block may provide temporary pain relief for certain headache disorders, like occipital neuralgia and cluster headaches. It can also help with neck and head pain related to injuries, such as whiplash. The results can vary from person to person. Some people experience pain relief, while others don’t.

An occipital nerve block is an injection of anesthetic medication near an occipital nerve to provide temporary pain relief and help inflammation from headaches or other conditions. Sometimes, the injection may also include steroid medication.

Your occipital nerves are a group of nerves in the back of your head. They arise from the C2 and C3 spinal nerves (C is for “cervical” and refers to vertebrae in your neck). There are three types of occipital nerves, including:

• Greater occipital nerve (GON): This is the largest of the three occipital nerves. It provides sensation to the skin of your scalp at the lower back to the top of your head, your ears and the skin above your parotid glands.
• Lesser occipital nerve (LON): This nerve provides sensation to the sides of the back of your scalp, as well as the surface of the visible part of your outer ear (pinna).
• Third occipital nerve (TON): This nerve provides sensation to the skin on the middle lower back of your scalp. The third occipital nerve is vulnerable to damage from whiplash.