Gene has had severe chronic headaches that have been resistant to treatment for over 20 years. He drove in from Indiana. He has a history of TMJ disorders and severe wear of his dentition.
He came to Chicago for a consultation visit. He presented with moderate to severe headache and it could be demonstrated that the pain was exacerbated by pressure on Myofascial Trigger Points as defined by Dr Janet Travell.
Trigger point deactivation eliminated the headache. The was done utilizing Travell Spray and Stretch with Vapocoolant Spray confirm that much of the pain was referred from Myofascial Trigger points.
The patient reported complete relief of the headache but still wanted to try a Sphenopalatin Ganglion Block which was accomplished. Within a few minutes the patient felt a great sense of relief above and beyond elimination of the headaches pain.
This is common with SPG Blocks as they turn off the Sympathetic overload that the patient experiences when having pain. The Sympathetic reflex is commonly called the "Fight or Flight Reflex". The block allows the Parasympathetic Reflex to dominate. The is the "Feed and Breed" or "Rest and Digest Reflex". This is the system where we feel romantic love, physical and emotional pleasure, and the way we feel playing with puppies, kittens or babies.
The Sphenopalatine Ganglion is the largest Parasympathetic Ganglion of the head. Sympathetic fibers from the Cervical Sympathetic Chain pass thru the Spenopalatine or Pterygopalatine Ganglion. This includes fibers from the Stellate Ganglion. Stellate Ganglion Blocks are being studied as a "one shot cure" for PTSD.
The following video is a patient who had a severe continuous headache for over 20 years.
The next patient describes how doing SPG Blocks has led to a sense of calmness.
The next video is a patient who came in to learn how to self-administer SPG Blocks to treat and prevent her severe chronic migraines. After the block was done she described feeling "Anxiety Free" for the first time in her life.
Additional patient videos can be found at:
