I have chronic migraines and have had varying degrees of success with different treatments. Could occipital nerve stimulation help?

Occipital nerve stimulation is a surgical procedure that may be useful in the treatment of chronic and severe headache disorders, such as chronic migraines, that do not respond well to other therapies.

Occipital nerve stimulation was first used to treat headaches in 1977, but it's still considered a treatment in development.

The occipital nerve originates at the base of the neck. In occipital nerve stimulation, your doctor implants a small device at the base of the skull with leads connected to a power source (pulse generator) that sends electrical impulses to the occipital nerve.

The pulse generator is often implanted under the collarbone (clavicle), but the abdominal and buttock (gluteal) areas also are options.

Risks associated with occipital nerve stimulation include the possible need for surgical revision of wire placement after the procedure, as well as infection, pain and muscle spasms.

Research shows occipital nerve stimulation may improve headaches for some people, but the results are inconsistent.

In addition, studies on occipital nerve stimulation so far have included only a small number of participants, and long-term results are limited.

One study suggested about 40 percent of people with chronic migraine reported a sustained benefit up to four years after occipital nerve stimulation. Another suggested a similar benefit for people with chronic cluster headache up to six years after treatment. But both of these studies were without a blinded comparison group (uncontrolled), and a placebo effect may explain some of these benefits.

The bottom line? Although there's some evidence that occipital nerve stimulation may be effective in the treatment of chronic headache disorders, more studies are needed before the approach can be considered a routine headache treatment.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, we may combine your email and website data with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. You may opt out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email.

Aug. 02, 2019 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Acupuncture
  2. Alleviating migraine pain
  3. Antidepressant withdrawal: Is there such a thing?
  4. Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern?
  5. Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it?
  6. Antidepressants: Can they stop working?
  7. Antidepressants: Selecting one that's right for you
  8. Antidepressants: Side effects
  9. Antidepressants: Which cause the fewest sexual side effects?
  10. Antiphospholipid syndrome
  11. Atypical antidepressants
  12. Biofeedback
  13. Botox injections
  14. Chiropractic adjustment
  15. Chronic daily headaches
  16. Clinical depression: What does that mean?
  17. CT scan
  18. Depression (major depressive disorder)
  19. Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?
  20. Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap
  21. Depression, anxiety and exercise
  22. Depression: Supporting a family member or friend
  23. Diarrhea
  24. Headaches and hormones
  25. Headaches in children
  26. Headaches: Treatment depends on your diagnosis and symptoms
  27. Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
  28. Male depression: Understanding the issues
  29. Managing Headaches
  30. MAOIs and diet: Is it necessary to restrict tyramine?
  31. Marijuana and depression
  32. Massage therapy
  33. Mayo Clinic Minute: Prevent migraines with magnetic stimulation
  34. Mayo Clinic Minute: Weathering migraines
  35. Migraine
  36. Migraine aura
  37. Migraine FAQs
  38. Migraine medicines and antidepressants
  39. Migraine treatment: Can antidepressants help?
  40. Migraines and gastrointestinal problems: Is there a link?
  41. Migraines and Vertigo
  42. Migraines: Are they triggered by weather changes?
  43. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  44. MRI
  45. MRI
  46. Natural remedies for depression: Are they effective?
  47. Nervous breakdown: What does it mean?
  48. Nighttime headaches: Relief
  49. Ocular migraine: When to seek help
  50. Pain and depression: Is there a link?
  51. Pain Management
  52. Relaxation techniques
  53. Seeing inside the heart with MRI
  54. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  55. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  56. Sleep tips
  57. Stool color: When to worry
  58. Symptom Checker
  59. Treatment-resistant depression
  60. Tricyclic antidepressants
  61. Undigested food in stool
  62. Vitamin B-12 and depression
  63. What is a migraine? A Mayo Clinic expert explains
  64. What is depression? A Mayo Clinic expert explains.