SPG treatment FAQs

More than 38 million people suffer from migraine headaches in the United States, however, some think this is a conservative estimate. Statistics go on to report that 12 percent of U.S. adults get migraines and 4 percent suffer from chronic migraines. At Lubbock Advanced Physical Medicine in Lubbock, TX, we understand how hard it is to live with migraines, whether you have them often or just occasionally.

Generally speaking, migraine sufferers get one or two migraines a month while chronic cases can get as many as two weeks or more worth of migraines. Either way, the pain leaves many unable to function. Migraines are closely connected to the Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG), which is the area that must be treated to provide relief from the pain caused by migraines.

The SPG is a group of cells that are associated with the trigeminal nerves, the main nerve where we find headache disorders. It is located behind the nose.

Migraines are a headache disorder, and the SPG has a lot to do with this. It connects to the brainstem and the meninges (the brain covering). When inflammation occurs, the blood vessels surrounding the meninges open up and in turn activate pain receptors that send impulses to the sensory areas of the brain which are then translated into a painful migraine. In other words, the pain signals or impulses are carried along the SPG and then connect in clusters in nerves to form headaches.

Our medical team can block the SPG, preventing it from delivering pain signals to areas of your head. This pain management treatment provides long-term relief to those suffering from headache disorders. Treating the SPG with the help of our medical team in Lubbock is a healthy and safe alternative to relieving pain with narcotic drugs, which have negative side effects, including addiction.

Not exactly. SPG treatment, though highly effective at relieving pain, is not a cure for migraines.

You are given a local anesthetic with a nasal applicator to reach the SPG. The result is a blockage which interrupts pain signals passed on to the brain, providing immediate relief, although it may take up to ten minutes for your headache pain to disappear.

To learn more about how to live a pain-free life with SPG treatment, contact Lubbock Advanced Physical Medicine in Lubbock, TX at (806) 791-3399. We are here to help answer any questions or concerns you have and get your life back free of pain.