occipital nerve block

The patient will sit with head down, the injection is given at the back of the head just above the neck. Patient will remain awake during the injection to provide feedback to the doctor. The doctor feels the area and directs the needle through the skin and close to trunk of the nerve. if the injection is well placed the scalp will go numb quickly on side needle is injected in. Medicine is injected and the patient may not feel steroids for two or three days.

Most patients can walk around immediately after the procedure. After being monitored for a short period, you can usually leave appointment. The effects of the local anesthetic may wear off within a few hours, but effect of steroid will begin to increase over the next several days. You may notice a slight increase in pain as the numbing medicine wears off

 As with any procedure involving a needle, there is a rare chance of infection, bleeding, allergic reaction and nerve damage. Complications are extremely rare. Talk with your provider if you have specific questions about the risk of your procedure.