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Occipital Nerve Blocks in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Receive occipital nerve blocks at Maasumi Headache & Spine Care for targeted pain relief.

Help your headache with Our Occipital Nerve Blocks

At Maasumi Headache & Spine Care, we offer occipital nerve blocks to relieve pain and inflammation caused by occipital neuralgia, chronic migraines, cluster headaches, and other head or neck pain resulting from injuries, such as whiplash injuries. These injections target the occipital nerves running at the back of your head that extend from the cervical vertebrae to provide pain relief from specific headaches that originate from nerve irritation. They block pain signals to lessen the frequency and intensity of pain while reducing inflammation. With our occipital nerve blocks, you don’t have to worry about the bothersome pain anymore and live your life to the fullest.

At our center, we do these injections deep and superficial. The deep injections are done with an ultrasound targeting the nerve root C2. The superficial one are done without ultrasound targeting the small branches

Who Is a Candidate for an Occipital Nerve Block?

Who Is a Candidate for an Occipital Nerve Block?

Occipital nerve blocks are recommended for those who have:

  • Migraines
  • Cervicogenic headaches
  • Occipital neuralgia
  • Headache in the back of the head
  • Cluster headaches
  • A painful or tender scalp, which can be a sign of nerve inflammation
  • Pain on one side of the head or at the back of the head
  • Burning, shooting, stinging, or zapping sensations in the back of the head

What Does an Occipital Nerve Block Treat?

Occipital nerve blocks can help treat several headaches, including:

  • Cluster headache
  • Migraine headaches
  • Occipital neuralgia
  • Cervicogenic headache
  • Postural puncture headache (a complication of a lumbar puncture)

Besides, nerve blocks help to:

  • Ease symptoms caused by nerve irritation, such as ear pain (otalgia) and tinnitus
  • Treat whiplash or related injury and pain in the upper back of your neck
  • Diagnose the origin of your head or neck pain (whether it comes from occipital nerves or somewhere else)

How Do I Prepare for an Occipital Nerve Block?

Occipital nerve blocks usually don’t require specific preparations like quitting the medications, fasting, etc. However, in some cases, it might be a good idea to do the following:

  • You will be asked to fast for six to eight hours before receiving the sedation.
  • You should bring someone to drive you home.
What Happens During an Occipital Nerve Block Procedure?

What Happens During an Occipital Nerve Block Procedure?

Our occipital nerve blocks are an outpatient procedure that only takes about 5 minutes. To begin the procedure, we will ask you to sit up straight. We will locate the specific injection points at the back of your head or may use ultrasound or fluoroscopy imaging techniques. Then, we will clean your injection site with an antiseptic solution and inject the medication precisely. You will need to rest as long as the medication comes into effect.

What Are the Benefits of an Occipital Nerve Block?

Occipital nerve blocks provide substantial benefits to those suffering from pain at the back of their head and neck, including:

  • Accurately diagnose where the pain comes from
  • Reduce inflammation in the affected nerves either temporarily or permanently, thus helping the nerves to heal
  • Temporary or permanent relief from pain so you can stay active and productive every day

How Long Will an Occipital Nerve Block Last?

While the lasting period of pain relief varies for individuals, generally, the effects of nerve blocks can last anywhere from several hours to months. You may need a series of injections to experience long-lasting relief from pain caused by cervicogenic headaches and occipital neuralgia.

Why Choose Maasumi Headache & Spine Care for Occipital Nerve Blocks?

Maasumi Headache & Spine Care is a trusted and reliable choice for those seeking relief from occipital nerve pain. Our board-certified neurologist and interventional pain management physician, KC Maasumi MD, MS, understands the impact of migraines, cluster headaches, and other nerve pain, treating them promptly to ensure immediate relief. Our team uses the latest technology and techniques to administer occipital nerve blocks, promising accuracy and efficacy. Our collaborative and patient-centered approach ensures you receive personalized care, support, and guidance throughout your treatment and beyond.

Here is why we are the optimal choice for occipital nerve blocks:

  • Get Seen Quickly: We prioritize providing prompt appointments, ensuring you receive the needed treatment on time.
  • State-of-the-Art Office: We are equipped with cutting-edge technology and equipment to ensure the highest quality of care.
  • Convenient Location: We are operating conveniently to make it hassle-free for you to reach out to us.
  • Insurance Accepted: Everyone deserves the proper treatment despite their financial situation. We accept major health insurance plans, such as Medicare, Self-Pay, Cigna PPO, and Blue Cross or BlueShield of California PPO.

FAQs

An occipital nerve block aims to relieve pain and reduce inflammation on the affected site so you can resume your routine activities.

No, you don’t need to do such things unless your doctor advises you to do so.

Common side effects include:

  • Localized pain but the anaesthetics will alleviate this
  • Dizziness temporarily resolves
  • Localized bleeding which stops by holding pressure
  • Infection that can be prevented by thoroughly disinfecting the skin
  • Light-headedness
  • Numbness

If you have diabetes, you may experience an increase in your blood sugar levels for up to 2 weeks following the injection. So, keep checking your blood glucose levels at regular intervals and contact your doctor if it is elevated.

Yes, after the occipital nerve blocks, ensure to:

  • Resume physical therapy after 3 days
  • Do not swim or take a bath or hot tub for 24 hours

Call or visit your doctor upon experiencing the following symptoms:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness in your arms
  • A fever of above 100˚ F
  • Bleeding, swelling, redness, or discharge from the injection site
  • Sudden or worsening neck pain

Serving Areas: Rancho Santa Margarita (RSM), Trabuco Canyon, Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Lake Forest, Las Flores, Coto de Caza, Portola HIlls, and Southern Orange County, CA

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Partner with Us to Treat Your Occipital Nerve Irritations and Related Pain

Whether you need an occipital nerve block for migraine, cervicogenic headaches, or occipital neuralgia, you can come see Maasumi Headache & Spine Care in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. With our comprehensive and personalized care, you can find quick relief and gain control over your life. Contact us today if you are looking for the best occipital nerve doctor near you.

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