Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Headache
A peripheral nerve block is a small injection of numbing medicine near a nerve in your scalp or face, such as at the temples or above the eyebrows. It may quiet pain signals that feed some headaches.
What are peripheral nerve blocks?
Some nerves in the scalp and face are involved in headache pain. A peripheral nerve block places medicine in or near one of these nerves with a syringe and a small needle. The medicine is usually a local anesthetic, which numbs the area. Sometimes a steroid, a medicine that calms swelling and irritation, is added.
The American Migraine Foundation describes several common target areas:
- Back of the skull: the greater and lesser occipital nerves. This is the occipital nerve block, which has its own page.
- The temples: the auriculotemporal nerves.
- Above the eyebrows: the supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves.
The nerves at the temples and above the eyebrows are branches of the trigeminal nerve.
Which conditions they are used for
- Migraine and chronic migraine. A nerve block may help stop an attack when other treatments have not worked. It can also act as a short-term “bridge” while a longer-term preventive treatment starts to work.
- Cluster headache
- Occipital neuralgia: sharp, shooting pain over the back of the head and neck.
- Cervicogenic headache: head pain that starts in the neck. The National Headache Foundation lists nerve blocks among its treatment options.
- Trigeminal neuralgia. The National Headache Foundation notes that blocking the trigeminal nerve in various ways can help.
- Jaw joint (TMD) headache. The National Headache Foundation lists nerve blocks as an option for more severe cases.
The National Headache Foundation also says nerve blocks might be considered for menstrual migraine. In general, these injections may be most useful when standard medicines do not help, cause side effects that are hard to tolerate, or are not safe for someone to take. They are often added to other treatment.
What to expect at the visit
- Planning: your doctor reviews your history and examines you to decide which nerves, if any, to target.
- The injection: numbing medicine is placed near the chosen nerve with a small needle.
- Right after: the area may feel numb for several hours. This fades on its own.
- Afterward: the benefit can outlast the numbness, because fewer pain signals are reaching the brain.
Side effects and safety
The American Migraine Foundation calls peripheral nerve blocks safe and well tolerated, with few reasons someone cannot have one. Short-term numbness near the injection is expected.
Pregnancy: both the American Migraine Foundation and the National Headache Foundation say nerve blocks using lidocaine or other local anesthetics can be used during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, let your doctor know.
How long relief may last
Relief from a peripheral nerve block may last several days or even weeks, and may improve with repeat injections. Blocks are often repeated every few weeks, as your doctor advises. Results vary from person to person.
For some people whose pain keeps returning, the American Migraine Foundation mentions a separate procedure called nerve ablation. It uses extreme cold or radio waves to switch off pain signals, and relief usually lasts about six months. Whether that is a fit is a question for your doctor.
Cost
Park Your Headache offers peripheral nerve injections in the office. An occipital nerve block is $395. For other peripheral nerve injections, please call (856) 783-7392 for the fee. Posted fees for all services are on our services page. Every patient starts with a 90-minute new patient consultation ($520), and injections may be done during that visit, if appropriate, for an added fee. We are direct pay, with no insurance billing and no referral needed. See our FAQ about HSA and FSA payments.
What patients say
5.0 from 21 Google reviews
★★★★★
Dr. Park offers a truly innovative approach to treating headaches. I trust her training and knowledge base implicitly. She fosters a collaborative physician-patient relationship. She is highly skilled at injections and approaches her work with precision and care. She cares deeply for her patients and their well-being. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
★★★★★
Dr. Park was able to see me same day and provide nerve blocks during an excruciating acute episode.
Reviews are shared from Google in the patients’ own words. Individual experiences vary.
How Dr. Park can help
Dr. Hannah Park is a dual board-certified, fellowship-trained headache medicine neurologist, Ivy League educated, with over 10 years of specialized experience. She has had migraine all her life. She treats migraine, cluster headache, occipital neuralgia, cervicogenic headache, trigeminal neuralgia, facial pain, and TMD and jaw pain.
Your first visit is a 90-minute consultation with Dr. Park: a full history review, a neurological exam, a diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan. The practice focuses on targeted injection treatments rather than a cycle of prescription medicines, and does not prescribe opioids. Appointments are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., usually within days.
Related
Sources
This page summarizes patient information from these organizations, in our own words. It is general education, not medical advice.
- Spotlight On: Interventional Headache Management, American Migraine Foundation
- Interventional Headache Procedures, American Migraine Foundation
- Occipital Neuralgia: A Guide, American Migraine Foundation
- Neck Pain and Migraine, American Migraine Foundation
- The Complete Headache Chart, National Headache Foundation
- Menstrual Migraine, National Headache Foundation
- Pregnancy, National Headache Foundation
Last updated October 27, 2026.
Pain at your temples, brow or the back of your head?
Every patient starts with a 90-minute new patient visit with Dr. Park.