Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) Blocks: Costs

There are many advantages that are widely recognized in using Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blocks to treat chronic headaches,cluster headaches,migraines, anxiety, TMJ disorders and other chronic pain conditions.

One excellent reason to utilize these blocks is cost containment, they are one of the most cost effective and safest treatments for chronic headaches, migraines and cluster headaches. They often offer an alternative to expensive visits to emergency rooms and inpatient hospital headache regimens

The most effective approach to stopping an acute or chronic headache or migraine is to do the Supra-zygomatic injection approach either unilaterally o bilaterally.

Regular physician appointments to do trans-nasal catheter treatment of the Ganglion with the Sphenocath device, the Allevio device of the TX360 device (MiRx protocol) can be extremely effective in eliminating or decreasing chronic headaches and migraines but can become very expensive over time.

The most cost effective approach is self administration or SPG Blocks by patients. Self administration would be done with nasal catheters, either one of the devices listed above or with cotton tipped nasal catheters. Patients can easily learn to preform the procedure in the comfort of their homes. The majority of patients find self administration with the cotton tipped catheters most convenient but I also teach patients to self administer with the Sphenocath device if they have difficult nasal passages.

Cotton tipped nasal catheters allow patients to self administer the bilateral SPG Blocks for about $1.00 after initial training. In addition to saving thousands of dollars in medication and hospital costs there are savings in costs of doctors visits.

The biggest savings is in patients time and decrease in interferences in their lives. The patient is put in control of their own pain management and almost all of the side effects of SPG Blocks are positive. The blocks are often used for their side effects as well as managing pain.

Self Administration is a win-win for patients, their families and insurance companies.

Comments 12

  1. Heather McCarthy

    Does this really work for daily persistent headache? My little girl (15 years old) has been in pain every day, all day, 24/7 for 20 months. She has had an MRI with and without contrast, (all clear) nerve block, spinal tap, chiropractor, acupuncture, and a slew of medications used for migraine treatment and various other ailments. She hasn’t had a second of relief and it’s affecting her life. I’m in NH and due to recent job lost she is about to be on Medicaid so I’m not sure if insurance will cover this. Curious to know how affordable initial treatment is. Catholic Medical Center is offering an informational session but not until the end of March. They talk about a procedure where lidocaine is delivered, is that the same thing you mention? I’m pretty desperate. Watching my child in pain is the unbearable.

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    2. Marianne

      Hi, my name is Marianne. I too have suffered w/a 24/7/365 headache. Have you heard of hemicrania continua? There is a support page on Facebook. There is a medication that is used to diagnose this condition called Indomethacin, just a thought & hope your daughter can find relief soon!!

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        ilshapira

        Indomethacin is an excellent drug and if the headaches respond to treatment it is considered a diagnosis of hemicrania continua. If taking indomethacin eliminates 100% of pain, fantastic but if you still are suffering SPG Blocks and neuromuscular orthotics can often give life changing results. Self administration is especiially effecttive for 24/7 pain.

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  2. Ann

    Where in the Phila or suberbs of Phila can I find a doctor to teach me the tuner even block. Both my son and myself have suffered for years with migrains ! Please send me the info. Thank you

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      ilshapira

      I am unaware of anyone in your area who teaches self-administration of SPG Blocks. I frequently have people come in to Chicago to learn the technique.

  3. Colin

    Hi Dr. Shapira,
    Do you know of anyone offering this service in Missouri? And have you had results with atypical facial pain patients? My neurologist would like to try botox which I can’t afford even with insurance, and I get bad side effects from tricyclics, AEDs, and can’t find relief.

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      ilshapira

      It is a single visit to learn this procedure. Patients frequently come in for a day to learn it and pick up supplies for 100 blocks.

  4. Cheryl

    I have cluster headaches, atypical trigeminal neuralgia, classic trigeminal neuralgia on the left side. I have had mvd and cyberknife for tn/atn. I’ve had something similar in ED with a long qtip thing and lidocaine. It didn’t help.

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      ilshapira

      Some patients have a very fast response the very first time it is administered but most of my patients are taught to utilize continual cappilary feed for longer periods twice a day initially often for extended times. In the most severe patients I will often begine with a SupraZygomatic injection directly thru the the Pterygopalatine Fissure to the Sphenopalatine Ganglion. First with 2% lidocaine plain but if good response can use longer acting anesthetics like Marcaine.

      That said even the majority of even very severe patients see increased relif over time with repetitive blocks with continual capillary feed. Much better the Q-tip only.

      I prefer to initially start with with nasal approach first. If there is not significant relief in 20 minutes I can add an injection procedure.

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