Revolutionary Migraine Treatment
Don't live with daily migraines anymore!
"It was debilitating.."
"Living with migraines completely changed how I was living my life every day, it was debilitating. I wasn't in control anymore and couldn't do the things I love to do with my husband and 3 kids. They just wanted their wife and mommy and I just wanted to feel better so I could be with them too. Bell Chiropractic & Pain Management was able to provide that for me with a simple, safe, pain free and low cost treatment. With their team approach I am now back in control of my life again!" - Jessica M.
The SphenoCath
The SphenoCath, procedure for establishing a sphenopalatine ganglion nerve block, can provide rapid and significant pain relief to patients who present with intractable migraines that are refractory to prescribed therapies. The minimally invasive, in-clinic procedure is performed by our team of experienced medical doctors and only takes a few minutes to perform.
The SphenoCath Procedure
The SPG nerve bundle, located deep within the nasal cavity, is part of the trigeminal nerve system, which is the major player in the pathogenesis of migraine headaches. The SphenoCath method involves administering a flexible catheter that delivers Lidocaine to a thin membrane overlying the SPG, sequentially into both nostrils. The patient lies with his/her head tilted back for five minutes as the anesthetic rapidly absorbs across the membrane to block the SPG nerve bundle which results in migraine pain relief.
Treatment side effects are minimal and include brief discomfort during the few seconds the catheter is in place, minor irritation of the nasal cavity post procedure and a feeling of numbness along with a temporary taste of anesthetic in the throat.
How is the procedure done and what should I expect during the procedure?
The day of the procedure you should be able to travel to the office and drive home afterwards. However, certain programs may require that you have someone to drive you home. No sedating medications are needed for the procedure. The procedure is often done in an exam room by your provider. If needed, a decongestant prior to the procedure may be used to help reduce irritation in the nose.
Prior to the procedure, your blood pressure and heart rate, and possibly your cheek temperature may be checked. This depends on your provider’s preference. Your provider may numb the nose by having you inhale or applying a local numbing medication. This is done to help make you more comfortable when the catheter is placed.
With certain catheter devices, your provider may allow time for the nose to numb, afterwards, you will be asked to lie down on your back with your head extended. The catheter device will be gently placed into one nostril, and the catheter will be advanced. The numbing medication will be pushed through the syringe, and then the catheter will be taken out. The procedure will be repeated in the other nostril and in total takes between 10-20 seconds to complete. After the procedure is completed you may be asked to lie down for about 15 minutes and your blood pressure may be checked.
No matter the device used, during the procedure you may feel mild pressure, or feel like you have to sneeze, or a brief mild discomfort or irritation like “something is in my nose.”
You may also experience a brief or quick burning sensation or have a bad taste in your mouth as some of the numbing medication may be swallowed. Sucking on a piece of candy during the procedure can help.
Tearing and a brief temperature change may occur. You may experience an immediate reduction in head and/or facial pain, but results can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours to occur.
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Potential Side Effects
The most common side effects are all temporary, including numbness in the throat, low blood pressure, and nausea. If you do experience throat numbness, this should not last more than a few hours and is related to swallowing a small amount of the numbing medication. During this time, it is safest if you avoid eating or drinking anything to avoid the risk of choking. Nasal bleeding or infection has been reported in some cases. Rarely, a temporary increase in pain has been reported.
How often can I have this procedure done?
SPG block can be repeated as often as needed to reduce pain. One study on one of the devices reports reduced frequency and severity of chronic migraine pain over a six month period if the procedure was done twice a week for six weeks (a total of 12 procedures).1
