Nerve Block

Nerve blocks can be achieved by surgical transection or radiofrequency destruction of the nerve. These have been shown to reduce long-term symptomatic relief of migraine headaches pain in some patients. But these nerve blocks can also be done chemically. This is simply to say that lidocaine can be used to numb the nerves. The great benefit of disrupting the nerve in a non cutting fashion is that it is temporary and reversible. This will allow the doctor and patient to decide if this method is effective or not. Although this numbing is temporary, what it seems to do is break the cycle of pain and reset the nerves irritability. The theory of performing a nerve block is that it can reset or does a “cardioversion” equivalent of the nerve. These hyperactive nerves are then “reset” and the patient has symptomatic relief longer than the actual duration of action of the medication. When a common medicine like lidocaine is used, it is as safe as going to the dentist. Furthermore, new medication delivery devices have been FDA approved and no needles are even involved. This is truly a minimally invasive procedure with low risk and high benefit for many patients.

 

Sphenopalatine ganglion block

Greater Occipital nerve block