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 usually considered the experts in the neuroanatomy of the trigeminal nerve but in more recent times neurologists and interventional radiologists have joined the field.
The book “Miracles On Park Avenue”documented the incredible practice of Dr Milton Reder an New York ENT who saw patients from around the world.
Dentists and ENT’s routinely utilize blocks to the trigeminal nerves and the Sphenopalatine Ganglion is located on the maxillary branch of the trigeminal in the Pterygopalatine fossa. The Sphenoplatine Ganglion is also known as the Pterygopalatine Ganglion from its position in the fossa and also as the Nasal Ganglion.
Dr Barney Jankelson, the Father of Neuromuscular Dentistry was a pioneer in modern neurostimulation. To help his wife with her Multiple Sclerosis he developed the Myomonitor an Ultra-low Frequency Transcutaneous Neuro=Stimulator (ULF-TENS). He called it the Myomonitor because it is used to stimulate the facial and trigeminal nerve in a physiologic way to relax all of the muscles fed by those nerves.
The incredible beauty of the trigeminal nervous system enabled Dr Jankelson to not just effect the Somato-Sensory Nervous System but to also effectively reset the Autonomic nervous System. The position of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion on the Maxillary Branch of the Trigeminal nerve gave him access to the largest Parasympathetic Ganglion of the head. In addition Sympathetic fibers from the Superior Cervical Ganglion pass thru the SPG and travel with the Somatosensory nerves in all of the branches of the trigeminal nerve.
The ULF-TENS (.66hz) of the Myomonitor is perfect for stimulation of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion in ii’s position inside the bony Perygopalatine fossa. Dr Jankelson stumbled upon hidden entrance into the Limbic System of the brain and the H-P-A Axis. The Reticular Activation System amplifies this input to the brain. The Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis has been identified as a major component of TMJ and Chronic Pain Disorders and Stimulation of The Sphenopalatine Ganglion addresses it. New research on Sphenopalatine Stimulation is looking at low frequency stimulation.
Dr Jankelson’s Myomonitor already has a 50 year exceptional record for safety and efficacy! It may turn out to be extremely helpful for Mustiple Sclerosis and other neurologic disorders. The BNS-40 is a personal home use ULF-TENS to relax facial and stomatognathic muscles and to non-invasively stimulate the SphenoPalatine Ganglion.
Neuromuscular Dentistry is the perfect fusion of Dentistry, orthopedics and neurology which explains it’s effectiveness.
The two links that follow are of testimonials of patients who have had Neuromuscular Treatment and /or SPG Blocks.
https://www.reddit.com/r/NeuroMuscularDent/
https://www.reddit.com/r/SPGBlocks/
******Combining Neuromuscular orthotic and SPG Block*****
This is a patient who traveled to the US to see me to learn to Self-Administer SPG Blocks.
He is also interested in Having a DNA Appliance to grow his airway larger via orthopedics and pneumopedics.
In addition to the SPG Blocks we discussed his long term bite issues and created an appliance from one of his old orthotics that did not help and did a “quick and dirty” neuromuscular bite.
E-MAIL Dec 16th 10:01 AM
Hi! Thanks for yesterday…..
Something has happened as after getting off the place this morning later today I went down to the gym followed by a run outside. This is not the norm usually I can’t leave the sofa after all that travel etc. Maybe the blocks?!
With the bite, I’m getting a tight neck though. There is pain going into the left side mostly, I feel really balanced but I’m not sure I will be able to keep it in soon as something doesn’t feel right with the neck (also the front lingual is bashing my tongue, I have been with my lab tech here to see if he can come up with a solution). Could the neck stiffness/tightness be the bite is not forward enough or anterior missing? I know it was a quick bite you gave me so I understand it was done fast
Overall I was impressed by how you could help me, I like you have the AO next door and can make the orthotics yourself. I’d like to talk to you about how you could possibly help me, your experience in this field is supreme!
Thanks
E-Mail Dec 16th 5;24 PM
Something else has happened which is pretty amazing, my pelvic floor is activating again and switching on. Do you remember me telling you about my stomach issue, well today so much wind and come through me and my bloating has gone down. I don’t know if its the SG block or the straight posture. Although I has straight posture before and had bad stomach so that indicates its the blocks. This is very exciting, I’ve never been able to find a answer for this.
I would like to speak this week and discuss a plan and strategy as it complicated as I am due to get the DNA Appliance
Dr Shapira Response: I would normally do the first adjustment about 4 hours after delivering the appliance and see you again the next morning. Did not schedule for starting case just quick dirty bite. Energy probably still orthotic related. Neck pain because of catch up. Go up and down steps with Aqualizer. Did we teach you spray and stretch to turn off muscle pain?