An occipital nerve block (ONB) is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at treating inflammation of the greater and lesser occipital nerves, located at the back of the head above the neck. When these nerves are inflamed or damaged, they can cause debilitating headache pain, along with symptoms such as tenderness of the scalp, pain behind the eyes, sensitivity to light, and neck pain.

Performed in the comfort of our exam room by your preferred physician, the ONB procedure begins with the cleansing of the skin near the occipital nerves using alcohol. Your physician then delicately inserts a needle, delivering a blend of local anesthetic and corticosteroid into the targeted area. While some immediate relief may be experienced from the local anesthetic, the full effects of pain relief from the steroid may take up to two weeks to manifest. Trust Desert Pain Specialists for effective management of chronic headaches and improved quality of life.