• 11 Oct, 2026
• UnityPain
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Nerve Blocks for Migraine Prevention | Unity Pain

When Migraines Take Over Your Life

If you live with migraines, you know how much they can steal from you. A pounding headache, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea — and sometimes hours or even days lost in a dark, quiet room. For many people, migraines are not just an occasional bad headache. They are a chronic condition that affects work, family, relationships, and quality of life. If you have tried many treatments without enough relief, you are not alone — and there may still be options worth exploring.

One option that doctors are using more often for migraine prevention is nerve blocks. These are simple, minimally invasive injections that target specific nerves involved in migraine pain. They may sound intimidating, but many patients find them easier to tolerate than expected. This article will explain what nerve blocks are, how they work, and what you should know before talking to a provider about whether they might be right for you.

What Is a Nerve Block?

A nerve block is an injection of medication near a specific nerve or group of nerves. The goal is to interrupt pain signals traveling along those nerves. For migraines, doctors most commonly target an area called the greater occipital nerve, which runs from the base of the skull up the back of the head. Another commonly targeted site is the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a cluster of nerve cells located behind the nose.

The medications used in nerve blocks are often a local anesthetic, sometimes combined with a steroid. The anesthetic numbs the nerve right away, while the steroid may help reduce inflammation and provide longer-lasting relief. The procedure itself is usually quick — often taking just a few minutes in a clinic setting. Most patients can return to their normal activities the same day.

How Can a Nerve Block Help Prevent Migraines?

You might wonder: if a nerve block numbs a nerve, how does that prevent future migraines? Researchers believe that blocking pain signals in certain nerves can help “reset” the pain pathways in the brain. Migraines involve a process called central sensitization, where the nervous system becomes overly sensitive to pain signals. By interrupting these signals, nerve blocks may help calm down that hypersensitivity over time.

For some people, a series of nerve block injections can reduce how often migraines happen, how long they last, and how severe they feel. Results vary from person to person, and nerve blocks are not a cure for migraines. However, for patients who have not found enough relief from oral medications alone, nerve blocks can be an important part of a broader treatment plan. A thorough evaluation by a trained provider is the best way to find out if nerve blocks might be a good fit for your situation.

Who Might Be a Good Candidate?

Nerve blocks are often considered for people with chronic migraine, which is defined as having 15 or more headache days per month, with at least 8 of those days meeting migraine criteria. They may also be used for people with episodic migraines who have not responded well to other preventive treatments, such as beta-blockers, antidepressants, or anti-seizure medications.

Nerve blocks may also be a helpful option for people who cannot tolerate the side effects of oral medications, or for those who are pregnant and need to avoid certain drugs. They are sometimes used to break a cycle of frequent or severe migraines, sometimes called a “migraine status” or prolonged migraine attack. That said, nerve blocks are not right for everyone, and only a qualified medical provider can evaluate whether this treatment fits your health history and needs.

What to Expect During the Procedure

If your provider recommends a nerve block, knowing what to expect can help ease any nervousness. For a greater occipital nerve block, you will likely sit or lie down while the provider cleans the skin at the base of your skull. A small needle is used to inject the medication near the nerve. Most patients feel a brief sting or pressure. The whole process usually takes only a few minutes.

For an SPG block, the approach is different — medication is delivered through the nose using a thin applicator rather than a needle. This can feel a little unusual but is generally well tolerated. After either type of block, you may feel some temporary numbness or soreness in the treated area. Serious complications are rare, but as with any procedure, there are risks your provider will discuss with you beforehand. Many patients notice some improvement within days, though results and timing can vary.

Nerve Blocks as Part of a Bigger Plan

Nerve blocks work best when they are part of a comprehensive migraine management plan. This might also include identifying and managing migraine triggers, lifestyle changes like regular sleep and stress management, physical therapy, and appropriate medications. No single treatment works perfectly for everyone, and migraine care is often a process of finding the right combination of approaches for each individual.

At Unity Pain Management in Modesto, CA, the care team understands how exhausting it can be to search for relief from chronic migraines. With services including nerve block injections, medication management, and telehealth visits, the clinic offers an insurance-friendly environment where patients can explore multiple options with compassionate, knowledgeable providers. If you are wondering whether nerve blocks or other pain management services could help you, reaching out for an evaluation is a reasonable first step.

A Note of Hope

Living with chronic migraines is genuinely hard. It takes courage to keep looking for answers when so many treatments have not worked the way you hoped. Please know that pain medicine continues to advance, and providers have more tools available today than ever before. You deserve care that takes your pain seriously and works with you to find real solutions.

No provider can promise that any treatment will eliminate your migraines completely — but with the right team and a thoughtful plan, many people do find meaningful relief. If you have not yet explored nerve blocks as a preventive option, it may be worth a conversation with a pain management specialist who can help you weigh the benefits and risks for your specific situation.

References

• Ashkenazi, Avi, and Stephen D. Silberstein. “Headache Management for the Pain Specialist.” Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. 2006.
• Robbins, Matthew S., et al. “Treatment of Cluster Headache: The American Headache Society Evidence-Based Guidelines.” Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. 2016.
• Blumenfeld, Andrew, et al. “Occipital Nerve Blocks in the Management of Headache and Migraine: A Systematic Review and Suggested Technique.” Pain Physician. 2013.
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. “Migraine Information Page.” National Institutes of Health. 2023.
• Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. “The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd Edition.” Cephalalgia. 2018.