An occipital nerve block involves injecting a local anesthetic, often with a steroid, near the greater or lesser occipital nerves at the base of the skull to reduce migraine pain. It is commonly used for patients with chronic or refractory migraines, especially when pain radiates from the back of the head. The block can provide rapid relief that lasts from days to weeks and may reduce the frequency and severity of future attacks. Side effects are usually mild, such as numbness or tenderness at the injection site. This is a useful option when other treatments are ineffective or not well tolerated.