Tips for a Greater Occipital Nerve Block

A greater occipital nerve block is used to treat occipital neuralgia and other types of headaches and even facial pain. A successful GON block improves pain after 20-30 minutes and can last for several hours to months.

Here are 3 tips to successfully perform a greater occipital nerve block

1. A 5 cm 25G needle connected to a 5 mL syringe with an extension line is inserted in a lateral-to-medial direction. 
2. 3-5 mL of local anesthetic is injected slowly around the greater occipital nerve after negative aspiration.
3. Use ultrasound guidance to identify nearby vessels and avoid inadvertent intravascular injection.

Sonoanatomy

Reverse Ultrasound Anatomy

Comparison of sonoanatomy and reverse ultrasound anatomy for a greater occipital nerve block.

Download the US Pain App HERE to read other tips on managing acute and chronic pain and to access the complete guide to ultrasound-guided chronic pain blocks.