Safety of a Nerve Block for Migraine Headaches

Nerve blocks reduce migraine pain by paralyzing nerves in the head and neck. When nerves are paralyzed, they cannot transmit pain signals to the brain. This results in fewer migraine headaches. Nerve blocks have been proven to be safe.

Significance

• Migraine is a painful neurological condition that affects approximately 12 percent of the population. Four percent of the population suffer from chronic migraines.

Occipital Nerve Block

• Occipital nerve blocks (ONBs) involve injecting an anesthetic into the occipital nerve, which is located in the back of the head. A 2008 study by Dr. William Young and his colleagues, published in a 2008 issue of the journal "Headache", found that 64 percent of patients had their migraine pain lessen in five minutes after the injection.

Botox

• Botox, which is short for Botulinum toxin type A, can be used to help prevent migraines. Botox can take several days to work and then paralyzes the nerves for approximately three months.

ONB Safety

• According to Young, occipital nerve blocks are "extraordinarily" safe. There is a chance of someone falling into a reversible coma if skull defects are present.

Botox Safety

• Botox injections are also very safe. A 2008 study by Dr. Frederick Freitag and his colleagues, in a 2008 issue of "Headache", reported no serious side effects from Botox injections.