Elimination and Treatment of Severe Migraines with SPG Block
The SPG Block can not only treat migraines but can also prevent and/or eliminate migraines providing a cure for some migraine patients.
The Sphenopalatine Ganglion is the largest Parasympathetic Ganglion of the head and is linked to the Trigeminal Nervous System.
The Trigeminal nervous system is responsible for almost 100% of all migraines and other headaches.
Migraine medications generally act to counter the effects of neuropeptides that are released by the Trigemino-Vascular System that cause vasodilation and leads to migraines.
The Trigemino-Cervical Complex is also a significant cause of headaches , especially occipital headaches and other upper cervical related headaches. Physiologic Dentistry is so effective at treating migraines and other headaches by it’s action of reducing noxious input to the trigeminal nervous system. This changes the patters of neurotransmitter and neuropeptide release.
Combining Physiologic Dentistry with SPG Blocks can give additive effects.
The SPG Block has been called the “Miracle Migraine Cure” but it is not always successful. When it is successful it works by blocking the “Flight or Fight” response which is a Sympathetic Overload often associated with high stress.
The most effective type of SPG Block is the injection directy to the pterygopalatine fascia. The intraoral injection via the Greater Palatime foramen is also extremely effective.
Less invasive methods have been marketed more recently where anaesthetic is delivered via a nasal catheter. The three brands are the Sphenocath, the Allevio and the TX360.
In my opinion the Sphenocath is the best of this group. I recently taught approximately 100 physiologic dentists at the ICCMO meeting how to preform SPG Blocks. I chose the Sphenocath device for that course as the easies and most accurate to administer.
My favorite method of doing SPG Blocks is with hollow cotton tipped applicators because they are easy but more important patients can easily learn to self administer them. They can do them to prophylacticaly to prevent headaches and migraines or to turn them off.
Unlike medications they are very safe and effective and can be done for less that a dollar/ day.
Side effects include lowering blood pressure (safely), reducing anxiety, producing a calm state and letting patients dop into a parasympathetic mode.
The Autonomic nervous system includes both sympathetic and parasympathetic components. Sympathetic system is preparing for battle, high stress and parasympathetic system is sleep, rest, digestion, calm, sexual response, love, family, etc.
SPG blocks have been reported to treat the following conditions:
Migraine
Cluster headache
Chronic Daily Headaches
Trigeminal neuralgia
SUNCT
Herpes zoster
Paroxysmal hemicrania
Cancer of the head or neck
Facial pain that is atypical
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
Temporomandibular disorder
Fibromyalgia
Arthritis Pain
Menstrual Cramps
TMJ
MPD
Nasal contact point headache
Vasomotor rhinitis
Anxiety
Depression
The book”Miracles on Park Avenue’ was written about an ENT in New York City whose entire practice was treating all types of disorders with Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blocks.
I originally started using the block in the late 1980’s after a patient came in with a copy of the book and asked me to find him a doctor in Chicago who utilized this technique.
There was no one in Chicago but a friend and mentor Dr Jack Haden in Kansas City did the technique so I visited Jack and learned how to administer SPG Blocks.
Have you ever experienced a patient who had severe side effects from the SPG? Ex.) kept falling down, could not stand, and was disoriented from unusual dizziness (not like room spinning/vertigo). Shortly after vomiting began as well. It lasted about two hours severely, and 8 hrs minor.
I have never had a patient with any negative effects other than minor discomfort or a very slight nose bleed. Most patients feel better within minutes.
How was your
SG Block given?