Greater Occipital Nerve Injection
The aim of this leaflet is to provide information on greater occipital nerve injections for the prevention of migraine.
Why am I being offered the injection?
Many patients with frequent headaches have tenderness in the sub-occipital region, which is the area at the back of the neck just below the skull. The nerves that travel from your spine (in the neck) to the back of the head and scalp are known as the occipital nerves.
Injection of the greater occipital nerve (GON) with local anaesthetic has been widely used in clinical practice for many years in the management of headache.
What is in the injection?
The injection is of local anaesthetic. Sometimes, a dose of steroid is given in addition to the anaesthetic.
What should I expect?
A small needle will be used to perform the injection. The back of your skull and top of your head may be numb for several hours from the local anaesthetic that is injected around the nerve. Anything more than a small amount of pain, bleeding or swelling at the site of the injection is unusual, and you should report it to your doctor. You may receive regular injections but will require clinical review at intervals decided by the team.
What is the site for the injections?
The picture below shows where the injections will be made.
If you have any queries or concerns, please contact the Headache Specialist Nurse on 01752 430283 or 01752 430047.
