OCCIPITAL NERVE BLOCK INJECTIONS
TREATMENTS & PROCEDURES
Occipital nerve blocks can have varying results depending on the individual. Cluster headaches and occipital neuralgia can be temporarily relieved with occipital nerve blocks. As a result of injuries, including whiplash, neck and head pain may also be alleviated. A variety of reasons can cause pain, and Fort Worth pain management can provide relief.
How Does An Occipital Nerve Block Work?
This procedure involves combining steroid medication (methylprednisolone) with a local anesthetic (lidocaine) to inhibit the occipital nerve. Located on the top of the head, the occipital nerve extends from the back of the neck. Your child will receive the injection as a day case, which means they will be injected and then sent home on the same day. In order to treat children who suffer from one-sided headaches or tender scalps, an injection of an occipital nerve block may be worth considering. Nevertheless, they may not be suitable for everyone, and other treatments may be recommended.
To learn more about our hillsboro occipital nerve block Injections treatment services, give us a call at 469-562-4188 or contact us online today.
What Does an Occipital Nerve Block Treat?
Different types of head pain can be treated with an occipital nerve block, including:
Occipital Neuralgia: The symptoms of occipital neuralgia consist of a severe throbbing pain in the back of the head, upper neck, or behind the ears caused by irritation of the occipital nerves. Research indicates that an occipital nerve block may be effective for treating this type of headache. Organizations consider nerve blocks to be a common, non-surgical treatment option.Migraines: In addition to headaches caused by nerve irritation, an occipital nerve block can also provide relief from other headache symptoms. The occipital nerves may be responsible for transmitting pain signals to the brain, resulting in migraines. The blocking of these signals may be necessary to relieve pain related to your occipital nerves.Cluster Headaches: In terms of pain, cluster headaches rank among the most severe. A cluster headache is characterized by cyclical patterns and may wake you up at night. An intense amount of pain is felt on one side of the head as well as around one eye as a result of these conditions. Facet joints of the cervical spine are affected by spondylosis. An age-related wear and tear of the neck bones and discs results in spondylosis of the cervical facet joints, commonly referred to as osteoarthritis of the neck joints.Cervicogenic Headache: The American Migraine Foundation describes cervicogenic headaches as headaches that originate in or around the neck. A study conducted in 2006 found that people who were treated with an occipital nerve block reported symptom relief within two weeks of treatment. Additionally, later research confirmed its efficacy in treating cervicogenic headaches.Diagnostic Procedure: Other conditions may also be diagnosed using the occipital nerve block. It can be difficult to differentiate pain that originates from your occipital nerves from pain that originates from other parts of your spine. A pain doctor in Dallas at pain relief clinic Cleburne may recommend an occipital nerve block in order to customize your treatment plan for your pain.The Occipital Nerve Block Procedure
Our team of experts at Pain Management Richardson understand how pain can affect your life.The occipital nerve block procedure is performed by injecting a teaspoon of local anesthetic and steroids into the scalp near the nerve trunk. This procedure involves administering injections approximately two inches above the neck at the back of the head. Following the numbering of the skin, injections are administered.
Nerve blocks are administered with a very fine needle.A well-placed injection may provide immediate relief from pain for patients within minutes of receiving it.Patients may be asked about their symptoms by their physicians. When the nerve is swollen, steroids will relieve the pain.Approximately two to three days following the administration of steroids, the full effect of steroids will be felt. Some of these effects, however, can last for weeks or months.Occipital nerve blocks usually result in patients being able to drive home the following day and resume their normal activities.After the local anesthetic wears off, the effects of the steroid will become apparent in the following days.A patient whose pain is relatively recent rather than long-standing will typically respond best to an occipital nerve block.The patient may need a second occipital nerve block if their symptoms do not improve after the first injection. Symptoms may need to be controlled with additional nerve blocks.Additionally, a lack of results may suggest that the occipital nerves are not responsible for the pain.Further investigation is required to determine the cause of the pain.
Is There A Risk Involved?
Due to the relatively minor nature of injections, children are unlikely to experience any complications after receiving an injection.Despite the fact that no procedure is completely risk-free, infection may occur at the injection site.The injection may cause redness and itching if there is an allergic reaction.Although this is not a serious condition, we must determine if there is an 1 allergic reaction before proceeding with treatment.It is likely that the injection site will initially feel painful, but this should only last a few days. The pain should be evaluated by a physician if it persists or becomes severe. The Lancaster spine and pain clinic strives to improve the quality of life of its patients.The child may be able to alleviate his or her symptoms of dizziness, fainting, or stiff neck following the injection by maintaining a positive attitude. Injection sites may develop a small area of baldness, approximately the size of a penny.Please keep an eye out for redness or heat at the injection site. If the injection site becomes red or feels hotter than the surrounding skin, please inform us.As a result of an injection, the occipital nerve block reduces pain and inflammation around the nerve located at the base of the skull. A number of types of headaches are caused by this condition. In spite of the general safety of occipital nerve blocks, their effectiveness and duration may differ significantly from person to person. An occipital nerve block may be recommended by a physician after other treatment options have been considered. Most patients are discharged from the hospital the same day following the procedure, which usually takes no more than a few minutes. In Pain Management in Dallas, we strive to provide comprehensive treatment guidelines and diagnoses in order to help individuals restore their health.
Give us a call at 469-562-4188 or contact us online today to schedule an appointment for occipital nerve block treatment in lancaster, TX and the surrounding areas.