An occipital nerve block is a simple, targeted injection used to treat head and neck pain originating from the greater or lesser occipital nerves small nerves located at the back of the head, just above the neck.
These nerves can become inflamed or irritated due to a variety of conditions, causing pain at the base of the skull that may radiate over the scalp or behind the eyes. An occipital nerve block delivers local anaesthetic (and sometimes corticosteroid) near the affected nerve to numb the area and reduce inflammation.
Occipital nerve blocks are commonly used for:
It may be used diagnostically (to identify if the nerve is the source of pain) or therapeutically to provide symptom relief.
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The skin over the upper neck is cleaned and numbed with local anaesthetic.
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A fine needle is used to inject a small amount of local anaesthetic (with or without steroid) around the greater and/or lesser occipital nerve.
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The entire procedure takes only a few minutes and is typically very well tolerated.
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Side effects are rare but may include:
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Temporary numbness or weakness in the shoulder or arm
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Soreness at the injection site
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Infection or bleeding (rare)
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Allergic reaction
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No benefit (in a minority of cases)Temporary numbness or weakness in the shoulder or arm
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These risks will be discussed with you beforehand, and every effort is made to ensure safety and comfort throughout.
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Originally from England, Sally graduated from St George’s Hospital, University of London in 2004 with a BSc (First Class Hons) in Physiotherapy. Since settling in Australia, Sally has worked in private practice and in the public hospital setting across Sydney.
Sally gained a Masters in Medicine Pain Management from the University of Sydney in 2019 and is a Titled Pain Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian Physiotherapy Association).
In addition to private practice, Sally currently works as a Senior Physiotherapist at Westmead Hospital Pain Management Service.
Sally is highly skilled in assessing, diagnosing and treating people who experience chronic pain. She enjoys working with injured workers and CTP claimants. She has a deep understanding of the impact of pain on the whole person and on their functioning in daily life. In partnership with her colleagues, Sally enjoys applying her knowledge and clinical skills to provide a safe space for exploration of the physical and emotional meaning of pain and for recovery of function.
Qualifications and Experience
Dr. Adam is a Fellowship-trained Pain Medicine Specialist with a Fellowship from the Faculty of Pain Medicine (FFPMANZCA) and a Master of Pain Medicine from the University of Sydney. He is dedicated to the comprehensive management of chronic pain across all age groups.
Dr. Adam trained in adult pain medicine at Liverpool Hospital, Nepean Hospital, and the Department of Pain Medicine, and completed additional training in paediatric chronic pain at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. He currently serves as a Staff Specialist at Westmead and St George Public Hospitals (NSW Health), and is a Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) at Liverpool Public Hospital, St George Private, Sydney Southwest Private, Holroyd Private, Norwest Private, and Nepean Private Hospitals.
He adopts a whole-person, multidisciplinary approach rooted in the socio-psycho-biomedical model, utilising both pharmacologic and interventional techniques. These include:
Dr. Adam is an Authorised Prescriber of Medicinal Cannabis and holds a Diploma in Medicinal Cannabis. He is also certified in Opioid Treatment Programs, including Methadone. His areas of interest include opioid dependence management, medicinal cannabis, and interventional pain procedures.
He also completed advanced training in Virtual Reality Therapy for chronic pain and mental health disorders in Barcelona, Spain, and has further qualifications in Focused Psychological Strategies, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Clinical Hypnosis.
Qualifications:
