The diagnosis and treatment of migraine headaches have historically been relatively complicated. Patients needing relief from recurring migraine symptoms have often expressed frustration at the lack of lasting results they have been able to achieve with help from their doctor. We understand this frustration, and we are committed to paving a new way for our patients. One way that Dr. Lowenstein does this is by creating a detailed map of the nerves that are involved in the onset of headaches. This is called targeted injection mapping.
Breakthroughs in migraine research have revealed the migraines may be triggered outside of the brain, in either the trigeminal nerve at the sides and front of the face and neck or the occipital nerves at the back of the neck near the base of the skull. Patients do not feel the triggered nerves themselves, they feel the end-result of their distress signal in the brain. The nerve inflammation that provokes migraine pain and other symptoms is called neuralgia. The discovery of the link between neuralgias and migraines has been a significant advancement in the treatment of this condition.
How Targeted Injection Mapping Works
The purpose of targeted injection mapping is to identify which nerves are suffering inflammation. It is a process of pinpointing the source of pain so it can be treated appropriately. All nerves send signals to the brain. When we touch something with a finger, for instance, nerves send signals to the brain for interpretation of the objects temperature, texture, and so on. When a nerve is inflamed, it sends one signal, pain. Targeted injection mapping blocks the signal from an inflamed nerve or nerves using a local anesthetic such as lidocaine. The anesthetic is injected at various points corresponding to different inflamed nerves, thereby forming a map of the distress signals being sent to the brain.
Finding the source of migraine pain is a meaningful first step in solving what may be a lifelong problem. It is important to us that each patient is given the kind of personal care they need to address a significant health matter. Migraine surgery is not the perfect solution for everyone. Some prefer a less invasive approach to manage migraine symptoms, such as Botox injections around inflamed nerves. This option may be suitable for nerve inflammation resulting from compression from surrounding muscles. While not a migraine cure, this treatment may reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms. For more permanent results, patients want to consider the value of migraine surgery, which we are happy to explain in detail.
Get the definitive help you need for migraine relief. Call 805.969.9004, where you can schedule a consultation at our Santa Barbara or Denver Migraine Surgery Center.
