How does occipital nerve stimulation work?

The occipital nerve originates at the base of the neck. In occipital nerve stimulation, your doctor implants a small device at the base of the skull with leads connected to a power source (pulse generator) that sends electrical impulses to the occipital nerve.

How do you release the occipital nerve?

In this outpatient procedure, your doctor makes an incision in the back of the neck to expose your occipital nerves and release them from the surrounding connective tissue and muscles that may be compressing them. The procedure generally lasts about two or three hours.

Can occipital nerve block make headaches worse?

From 15 patients, only one patient described a headache relief after initial exacerbation of headache for 2 days. Headache intensity was unchanged in 11 patients. In further three patients, the headache worsened in the first hours or days after injection.

What makes occipital neuralgia worse?

Occipital neuralgia is most commonly the result of trauma, such as whiplash or surgery. However, anything that irritates or compresses the occipital nerve may cause occipital neuralgia, including tight muscles, arthritic inflammation of the cervical vertebrae, or a tumor.

Why does my occipital nerve hurt?

What causes occipital neuralgia? Occipital neuralgia may occur spontaneously, or as the result of a pinched nerve root in the neck (from arthritis, for example), or because of prior injury or surgery to the scalp or skull. Sometimes “tight” muscles at the back of the head can entrap the nerves.

What are the side effects of occipital nerve block?

Are there any side effects caused by an occipital nerve block?

• The most common side effect is pain at the site of injection.
• Other side effects include infection, bleeding, dizziness, weakness, numbness and lightheadedness. These effects are temporary and often last only six to eight hours.

What happens if occipital nerve block doesn’t work?

To obtain a more lasting effect, a more permanent procedure is to damage the nerve. Here, partial nerve injury could make the nerve even more irritable, and complete nerve destruction could lead to denervation pain. If the occipital nerve block doesn’t work, it is likely that the pain is coming from somewhere else.

What irritates the occipital nerve?

Injury to the neck, such as whiplash, may result in inflammation and damage to the occipital region, causing nerve irritation and pain. Occipital neuralgia may be caused by pinching or trapping of the nerve root in the neck, with tight muscles, tumors, and certain spine conditions being the most common causes.

What causes occipital neuralgia to flare up?

How is occipital nerve stimulation used in migraine treatment?

Occipital nerve stimulation is a surgical procedure that may be useful in the treatment of chronic and severe headache disorders, such as chronic migraines, that do not respond well to other therapies. Occipital nerve…

Are there any risks with occipital nerve stimulation?

The pulse generator is often implanted under the collarbone (clavicle), but the abdominal and buttock (gluteal) areas also are options. Risks associated with occipital nerve stimulation include the possible need for surgical revision of wire placement after the procedure, as well as infection, pain and muscle spasms.

When was the occipital nerve stimulation first used?

Occipital nerve stimulation was first used to treat headaches in 1977, but it’s still considered a treatment in development. The occipital nerve originates at the base of the neck.