What is an occipital nerve block?

An occipital nerve block is an injection of medication around the occipital nerves at the back of the head just above the neck area, explains Ohio Health. The injection is designed to reduce inflammation and swelling of tissue around the nerves by numbing to relieve pain, states Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Patients with pain occurring predominately at the back of the head and those experiencing the zapping, stinging or burning often associated with occipital neuralgia typically respond best. Patients with migraines, cluster headaches and a variety of other conditions where the nerve is inflamed have also found success with treatment, explains Johns Hopkins Medicine.