The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) is a group of nerve cells located behind the nose. The SPG carries information about sensation and pain to the brain where headache and migraine attacks may be generated. Targeting the SPG with neuromodulation, or alteration of nerve activity through delivery of electrical or pharmaceutical agents, helps disrupt the pain pathway.

A sphenopalatine ganglion block involves delivering local anesthetics to the SPG through a small soft catheter that is gently placed into each nostril without the use of any needles or injections. The treatment takes only several minutes with minimal to no discomfort. Patients are able to return to work or other activities within 15 minutes.

This is a relatively quick and simple procedure that could improve your quality of life if you suffer from repeated headaches or migraines. Typically several treatments are performed over 1-2 months. Up to 70% of patients will find relief and improvement of their initial symptoms. In some cases, patients may have symptomatic relief in as little as 15 minutes. The SPG block has also been found to be effective in treating patients with trigeminal neuralgia and atypical facial pain.