30-Second Blog “Snapshot:”
- Chronic facial pain is difficult to treat because the face is a such sensitive area.
- In conjunction with other medications and pain treatments, a sphenopalatine ganglion block may be used to alleviate chronic facial pain.
- Utah’s leading pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center provide sphenopalatine ganglion blocks for patients with chronic facial pain.
A sphenopalatine ganglion block is a minimally invasive procedure that administers an anesthetic and medication to the sphenopalatine ganglion nerves. These nerves are located in the midface behind the nasal passages and they supply the lacrimal gland, nasal cavity glands, sinuses, palate and upper pharynx.
If damaged or traumatized in any way, this bundle of nerves can cause severe facial pain. Sphenopalatine ganglion blocks can provide pain relief to those with various facial neuralgias (pain) as well as chronic migraine headaches, acute cluster headaches and head or neck cancer.
There are a number of approaches a physician can take for this procedure, but the most common is the transnasal approach. Moreover, your pain management physician may decide to administer treatment either topically or through an injection. Regardless of which method is your physician decides, most patients experience significant pain relief shortly after.
There are very few risks to the procedure, but nonetheless risks may include:
- Allergy
- Seizure
- Infection
After the procedure, patients may feel lightheaded. This usually dissipates after 20 – 30 minutes. Other common side effects include: bitter taste, numbness in the back of the throat and a slight nose bleed if certain areas are affected. Talk to the leaders in Utah pain management today about receiving a sphenopalatine ganglion block for chronic facial pain, chronic migraine headaches or acute cluster headaches.
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With five locations in Utah and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.