New Therapy for Migraines Shows Promise

(Newswire.net — June 6, 2018) Darien, CONNECTICUT —  What on God’s green Earth is the sphenopalatine ganglion and more so what is its role in migraine headaches? I am glad you asked. A ganglion is a bundle of nerve axons. Nerves, as you might be aware of, are like wires that connect the brain to the rest of the body in both directions. The sphenopalatine ganglion has several connections to the areas believed to have a causative factor in migraines. First, you should understand that no one claims to know what causes migraines. 

The sphenopalatine ganglion has connections to three areas that are all believed to be related to headaches. Those areas are relay centers of the brain so they could be the source of headaches. Notice I said could because no one really knows. The superior cervical sympathetic ganglion, trigeminal nerve via connections with the maxillary nerve, and the suboccipital nerves at the base of the skull. They are all connected to the sphenopalatine ganglion which is the closest nerve to the outside of the body.

Intranasal photobiomodulation pumps light energy into the nerve by firing up ATP production. Adenosine triphosphate(ATP) is a complex organic chemical often called the “molecular unit of currency” of intracellular energy transfer. Simply think of the process of photobiomodulation as jumping the nerve batteries. The sphenopalatine ganglion has been the site of nasal opioid delivery for treatment of headaches. In some experiments, cocaine was used. Do not infer that we are recommending that you use cocaine to treat headaches. 

This treatment shows great promise in the treatment of migraine headaches and there will surely be to more reports on this in the future.