There is a great deal of crossover between sinus pain and headaches, THJ disorders, Migraines, cluster headaches, NDPH and chronic daily headache. All of these problems are related to the both the Somatosensory fibers of the Trigeminal Nervous System as well as to the Autonomic Sympathetic and Parasympathetic fibers that travel along the trigeminal branches. The Sphenopalatine Ganglion is the …
Neuromodulation, Trigeminal Neuralgia and Neuromuscular Dentistry
A new article in Headache looks at Neuromodulation and devices in Trigeminal Neuralgia. There is a very successful device with a 50 year record for safety and efficacy in treating trigeminal nervosu condition. It is the Myomonitor, an Ultra Low Frequency TENS designed to relax muscles innervarted by the 5th (trigeminal) and 7th (facial) nerves. The myomonitor is also a …
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Stimulation: 50 Years of Safety and Efficacy
The concept of doing Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blocks is over 100 years old and was first described by Sluder in 1908 for Sluder’s Neuralgia. Current thinking is what Sluder described was Cluster Headache, Autonomic Cephalgias or Temporomandibular disorders including trigeminal neuralgia. There is a long history of safety with these blocks and many means of delivering them. Dentists and ENT’s are …
Bilateral sphenopalatine ganglion block reduces blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension
I have been utilizing bilateral SPG Blocks to treat TMJ pain, MPD, Anxiety, Chronic Pain, Tension Headaches, Migraine Headaches, Dluster Headaches and Fibromyalgia. SPG Blocks can be used to reverse central sensitization and can serve as a replacement for a host of medications utilized for headaches, anxiety, depression, neuralgias not only saving reources but also reducing harmful side effects. This …
Neurology Advisor Article Discusses Chronic vs Episodic Migraines: What is the role of Sphenopatine Ganglion and Trigeminal Nerve on Hypothalamus in Migraine.
This is a recent article in Neurology Advisor discussing the role of the Hypothalamus in Chronic Migraine. TMJ disorders are a primary cause of noxious input to the hypothalamus while Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blocks seem to act as a reset mechanism to the autonomic nervous system. Activation of the Hypothalamus by Trigeminal Stimulation is greater in patients with Chronic Migraine than …
The Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) aka the Pterygopalatine Ganglion and it’s role in Pain Syndromes
I am going to go thru this excellent review paper and add my personal opinions based on almost 40 years of help patients with chronic pain. MY COMMENTS WILL BE IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS: THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE ONLINE. The Pterygopalatine Ganglion and its Role in Various Pain Syndromes: From Anatomy to Clinical Practice. Maria Piagkou, MD, MSc, PhD*; …
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blocks: Are these Autonomic Blocks the Answer to Reduced Sexual Desire. Self-Administration of SPG Blocks is Key!
I routinely utilize Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blocks or SPG Blocks to treat patients with chronic pain issues. These include TMJ disorders, headaches, migraines, myofascial pain and dysfunction, anxiety, panic attacks and other problems associated with Autonomic Sympathetic Overload. While there are numerous methods of delivering SPG Blocks my preferred method is a cotton-tipped continual feed nasal catheter. The results are similar …
Essential Hypertension Treated with Bilateral SPG Blocks.
A recent study in the International Journal of Cardiology (PubMed abstract below. has show a bilteral SPG Block reduced blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. This was based on a one time administation of anesthetic. The authors believe this is due to changes in the sympathetic nervous t Self administration of SPG Blocks is very effective for treatment of …
Trigeminal Neuralgia: First Line Approach with SPG Blocks Can Be Safe and Effective
Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) has been called the Suicide Disease. The medical community typically considers carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine as First Line Treatment. I suggest that for many patients Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blocks are a far safer and offer a far more effective first line approach to addressing Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) without a multitude of medication side effects. Side effects of Carbamazepine (Tegretol) and oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) …
Miracles on Park Avenue: Dr Milton Reder
This is the obituary of Dr Milton Reder who the book “Miracles on Park Avenue” was written about. I never had the pleasure of meeting him but his work changed my life and the lives of many of my patients. There are other articles about this remarkable giant in pain management. I read the book “Miracles on Park Avenue” after …