Overview
A trigeminal nerve block is a targeted pain-relief procedure that delivers local anesthetic — sometimes combined with anti-inflammatory medication — near specific branches of the trigeminal nerve, the main sensory nerve of the face.
It’s used to treat migraine, cluster headaches, and facial pain conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia.
- How it differs from an occipital nerve block:
- Occipital nerve blocks target nerves at the back of the head and upper neck, primarily used for headaches that start in that area and radiate forward.
- Trigeminal nerve blocks target nerves in the face and front of the head, making them ideal for pain that starts around the eyes, temples, forehead, cheeks, or jaw.
- In many patients, these two treatments can complement each other, especially if pain pathways involve both nerve regions.
How a Trigeminal Nerve Block Works
The trigeminal nerve has three main branches:
- Ophthalmic (V1) – forehead, scalp, and around the eyes
- Maxillary (V2) – cheeks, upper jaw, and upper teeth
- Mandibular (V3) – lower jaw, lower teeth, and part of the ear
When these nerves become irritated or inflamed, they send continuous pain signals to the brain. A trigeminal nerve block interrupts these signals and reduces inflammation, helping to break the cycle of pain..
Trigeminal nerve blocks can provide meaningful relief for up to 80% of patients with certain types of migraine, cluster headaches, or trigeminal neuralgia.
Who Can Benefit
- A trigeminal nerve block may be recommended if you:
- Have migraine with pain concentrated in the front of the head or face. If your headaches or facial pain originate in the front of the head, temples, or jaw, a trigeminal nerve block may offer rapid, targeted relief.
- Experience cluster headaches with pain around one eye or temple
- Suffer from trigeminal neuralgia (sharp, electric shock-like facial pain)
- Have facial pain that hasn’t responded to oral medications
- Need rapid relief while waiting for preventive treatments to take effect
What to Expect During the Procedure
- Consultation: Dr. Saad Kanaan reviews your symptoms and identifies which branch of the trigeminal nerve is likely involved.
- Preparation: You’ll be positioned comfortably, and the skin will be cleaned and sterilized.
- Injection: Using precise anatomical landmarks, and in some cases imaging guidance, a fine needle delivers the anesthetic near the targeted nerve branch.
- Immediate Effect: Many patients experience a warming or numbing sensation in the affected facial area, followed by a reduction in pain.
- The procedure usually takes 5 minutes and you can go home the same day.
Benefits of Trigeminal Nerve Blocks
- Rapid pain relief for migraine, cluster headache, or trigeminal neuralgia
- Targeted therapy for pain in the face, forehead, and temples
- Non-surgical with minimal recovery time
- Can help diagnose which nerve branch is causing the pain
- May reduce the need for daily pain medications
Possible Side Effects
- Mild, temporary side effects can include:
- Numbness in the treated facial area
- Mild swelling or tenderness at the injection site
- These effects typically resolve within hours to a day. Serious complications are extremely rare when performed by an experienced headache specialist.
Recovery & Aftercare
- You can resume normal activities immediately, though some patients prefer to rest for the remainder of the day.
- Avoid touching or massaging the injection site for 24 hours.
- Relief may be felt within minutes and can last from several weeks to months.
- Repeat treatments can be scheduled if symptoms return.
- Pairing nerve blocks with other headache treatments, like Botox or trigger point therapy, can lead to even better, longer-lasting results.
Why Choose Dr. Saad Kanaan for Trigeminal Nerve Blocks
- The Only Headache and facial pain Specialist in Dubai with American Board Certification and Fellowship training in headache medicine.
- Fellowship-trained in Headache Medicine at Harvard Medical School, with specialized expertise in facial pain syndromes.
- Over a decade of experience performing trigeminal nerve blocks and over 1000 nerve block procedures performed
- Precise targeting of specific trigeminal branches for maximum effectiveness.
- Comprehensive approach integrating nerve blocks into broader headache and pain management plans.
- High patient satisfaction with significant improvement in pain and quality of life.
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