Greater Occipital Nerve Injections for Chronic Headaches

Greater occipital nerve injections are usually performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll be able to go home after your appointment.

Before your greater occipital nerve injection, your consultant will explain the procedure to you in full and let you know what to expect during and after your treatment. You’ll need to sign a consent form to say you understand what happens during the procedure and are aware of all the possible risks and complications. A greater occipital nerve injection normally takes around 15 minutes. 

During your procedure:

1. You’ll be asked to sit in a treatment chair. 

2. Your consultant will clean the area and locate your greater occipital nerve by palpating (pressing lightly) around the back of your neck. 

3. They’ll use a fine needle to give the injection, sometimes using ultrasound guidance to ensure they’re in the correct position. 

4. After your injection, you’ll be asked to wait and relax in the clinic for at least 15 minutes to make sure you feel well and that any dizziness has passed.

Greater occipital nerve injections are a generally safe procedure, but as with any type of medical treatment, there’s a small risk of complications. Your consultant will explain all the possible risks and complications of your procedure before your treatment and answer any questions you may have. 

Possible complications of greater occipital nerve injections include: 

• mild dizziness after the injection. This normally subsides within a few minutes 

• numbness around the injection site that may spread across the back of your head. This usually resolves within a few hours

• bleeding, pain, swelling or tenderness around the injection site 

• hair loss around the injection site (this is rare) 

• worsening migraine symptoms for a few days after the injection. This is temporary and normally resolves within a week or 2

There’s generally nothing specific you need to do to prepare for your greater occipital nerve injection.

Tell your consultant about any medications you’re taking regularly. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines, such as blood thinners, for a few days before your procedure. This is to reduce the risk of bleeding after the injection. You can eat and drink as normal before the procedure.

Recovery from a greater occipital nerve injection is usually quick, and you can expect to return to most normal daily activities shortly after your procedure. We recommend that you don’t drive for 12 hours after your injection, as you may experience side effects such as numbness, dizziness or a headache that may impair your ability to drive safely. Please arrange for someone to collect you and drive you home after your procedure. 

You will need to stay in the department for around 15 to 20 minutes after your procedure to check for any side effects and make sure you are well enough to go home. 

After your injection, you may feel some mild soreness or discomfort around the injection site. Take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol if you need to. 

Before you leave the department, your consultant may arrange a follow-up appointment to assess how well the injection has worked and discuss any further treatment options. 

You should return to your normal daily activities gradually and avoid strenuous activities that could make your headache worse for a few days after your procedure. 

At Welbeck, we provide continued support throughout your treatment, including aftercare. Please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, or if you have a severe or prolonged headache or other side effects.

Please contact our Neurology centre for pricing information.

At Welbeck, our consultant neurologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book a greater occipital nerve injection, you must be referred by either your GP or a neurologist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment. 

If you would like to schedule a consultation with a neurologist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.