An occipital nerve block is a treatment used to both treat and diagnose severe pain and swelling within the occipital nerves, which are located at the back of the head just above the neck. Patients with irritation and swelling in these nerves often experience tension or migraine headaches in the back of the head that can significantly affect their quality of life.
This treatment involves an injection of steroid medication placed directly in the affected nerves to relieve pain and other symptoms. The occipital nerve block injection takes just a few minutes to perform using a local anesthetic. Immediate pain relief may occur as a result of the anesthetic, and then return with soreness for a few days. More lasting pain relief will likely begin on the third day after treatment.
Results of an occipital nerve block vary depending on each patient’s individual condition, with patients experiencing pain relief from a few days to several months. The injections are often repeated on a regular basis to maintain symptom relief and help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.
Also known as a lumbar puncture, a spinal tap is a diagnostic procedure that involves removing a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spine to analyze it and help detect or rule out conditions such as meningitis, encephalitis, multiple sclerosis and certain cancers.
During the spinal tap procedure, you will lie on your side while a needle is inserted into the spinal canal to measure its internal pressure and carefully remove a small sample of fluid to be analyzed. A blood sample will also be removed from the arm and tested with the spinal fluid. This procedure usually takes about 45 minutes and is performed with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort.
Once the CSF has been removed, it is examined for a number of different factors in order to accurately diagnose the patient's condition. Lab technicians analyze the fluid for:
After the spinal tap procedure, some patients may experience a spinal headache, bloody discharge or infection as a result of the needle injection. You may be instructed to lie flat for some time after the procedure, and avoid exercise and other strenuous activity for the first day after the spinal tap. The results of this test will be available within a few days. Your doctor will decide upon the best treatment option for you after evaluating the results of your procedure.
Acupuncture is an alternative treatment method and one of the oldest forms of therapy practiced in the world, effective in treating a wide range of symptoms and conditions. This traditional Chinese treatment involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin into the underlying tissue at precise locations known to help relieve pain and other symptoms.
Acupuncture can be used to treat many different medical conditions, including:
During the acupuncture treatment, the needles are inserted into the skin at targeted areas and depths depending on each patient's individual symptoms. Only sterile, single use needles are used during acupuncture in order to ensure patient safety. Patients may experience an aching sensation when the needles reach their desired location. The needles are usually kept in place for five to 20 minutes, and may receive electrical or heat impulses during this time. Patients often undergo a series of weekly or biweekly treatments, usually with 12 total treatment sessions.
In general, acupuncture is a safe procedure with little to no side effects and is effective for most patients, including those who do not respond well to more traditional treatment options. For more information about this treatment, do not hesitate to ask your doctor if your medical condition can benefit from acupuncture.
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