Physiotherapy — Physical therapy may provide long-term improvement for cervicogenic headache, but the conclusions of different studies have differed on the degree and likelihood of benefit.
Anesthetic blocks — Local Anesthetic injections of the lateral atlanto-axial joint, the C2-3 zygapophyseal joint (and the overlying third occipital nerve), and/or the C3-4 zygapophyseal joint can temporarily reduce or relieve pain and may allow greater participation in physical treatments.
Greater (and lesser) Occipital Nerve Blocks may provide temporary pain relief in some cases, but the benefit of this treatment is not specific for cervicogenic headache.
Facet Joint injection — Results from small retrospective studies suggest that some patients may obtain relief from Steroid injection to the responsible cervical facet joint.
Radiofrequency Denervation — Radiofrequency techniques may offer potential benefit for cervicogenic headache, numbing the cervical facet joint responsible for the source of the pain
Surgery — A variety of surgical interventions have been performed for presumed cases of cervicogenic headache, but surgical procedures for cervicogenic headache are not recommended unless there is compelling evidence of a surgically amenable lesion on imaging causing the cervicogenic headache (ie, confirmed to be the pain generator by local anesthetic diagnostic blocks) that is refractory to all reasonable nonsurgical treatments.
Occipital Neuralgia
For patients with occipital neuralgia who have moderate to severe pain symptoms, an local Occipital Nerve Block often provides pain relief, which is typically prompt, supports the diagnosis and may last several weeks or even months. The procedure is generally safe and can be repeated when pain recurs.
Patients whose pain is not completely sufficiently managed with occipital nerve blocks may benefit from medication.
Patients who are refractory to conservative measures should be evaluated for alternative treatments (eg, botulinum toxin type A injections, pulsed radiofrequency, occipital nerve decompression, or stimulation).
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Where to Find Us
Neurosurgery Mediclinic Parkview Hospital Al Barsha South Dubai, UAE.
