Occipital Nerve Stimulation

Occipital nerve stimulation, or ONS, is a type of peripheral nerve stimulation that involves stimulation of the occipital nerves using an implanted electrical device. (Occipital nerves emerge from the spinal column at the base of the neck and extend beneath the scalp, where they transmit most of the feeling at the back and top of the head.) ONS has been primarily used for treatment of severe migraine headaches, occipital neuralgia, cluster headaches and other difficult-to-treat pain conditions that involve the head and neck. It has also been investigated for treatment of pain in patients with fibromyalgia.


Reviewed Aug. 4, 2018
Marc Russo, MBBS DA(UK)FANZCA, FFPMFANZCA
Executive Officer, International Neuromodulation Society, 2011-2019
Hunter Pain Clinic, Broadmeadow, NSW Australia

Last Updated on Monday, November 22, 2021 11:06 AM