Neuromodulation Procedures
For Facial and Cranial Pain Relief
What Are Neuromodulation Procedures for Facial and Cranial Pain Relief?
Nerves play an essential role in our bodies, sending signals to and from the brain, catalyzing functions such as movement, speech, and pain. When nerves are damaged, affected by disease, or don’t conduct signals correctly, muscle weakness, involuntary movement, and chronic pain can result.
Neuromodulation provides electrical or chemical stimulation directly to the impacted nerve or nerve pathways, altering the nerve activity and restoring normal or improved function. For those living with severe facial or cranial pain, neuromodulation for facial and cranial pain relief has been proven as an effective option in even hard-to-manage disorders.
Common Neuromodulation Procedures for Facial and Cranial Pain
Occipital Nerve Stimulation
Occipital Nerve Stimulation is a procedure that may help patients suffering from chronic headaches, migraines or occipital neuralgia. During this procedure, small electrical wires or leads are implanted at the base of the skull to provide electrical pulses to the occipital nerves and connected to a programmable battery placed under the skin near the collarbone. This implant can provide a reduction in the number of headaches and migraines experienced as well as reduce their severity.
Deep Brain Stimulation
In Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), patients undergo surgery to implant electrodes into the deep tissue of the brain where the pain pathways are processed. Those electrodes pulse signals to help regulate body movement and pain. Often, this treatment is compared to how a pacemaker operates in the heart; blocking or modifying the abnormal signals that are causing the patient's pain or movement disorder. For patients suffering from facial and cranial pain such as Anesthesia Dolorosa, Deep Brain Stimulation can provide an option for long-term pain management.
Trigeminal Branch Stimulation
Trigeminal Branch Stimulation is a neuromodulation treatment for patients suffering from facial or cranial pain, most commonly Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain or Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain. If you suffer from constant facial pain from whatever cause, Trigeminal Branch Stimulation is a potential treatment.
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Stimulation
People suffering from Cluster Headaches or Sphenopalatine Neuralgia may experience relief through neuromodulation of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion, a nerve bundle located behind the nose. In this procedure, a small neurostimulator is inserted in nearby soft tissue deep to the cheek bone. From there, it provides modulating electrical pulses to the ganglion to control pain and headache episodes.
Motor Cortex Stimulation
Motor Cortex Stimulation places electrodes on the surface of the brain over the motor strip to control pain. During the procedure, advanced imagery is used to locate the area requiring stimulation to place the electrodes correctly. Similar to Deep Brain Stimulation, these electrodes block or adapt signals misfiring in the brain and can relieve pain for patients suffering from hard-to-manage pain conditions such as Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain.
Are There The Side Effects of Neuromodulation?
There are potential side effects to any procedure. In neuromodulation, the side effects are usually dependent on the location of the pain and the type of neuromodulation used. Dr. Alain de Lotbinière is an expert in treating complex pain disorders with advanced techniques, including neuromodulation for facial and cranial pain. He will guide you to the right course of treatment for your specific symptoms and medical history.
Can My Face, Head, or Neck Pain Be Relieved With Neuromodulation?
Neuromodulation can be an effective way to control facial or cranial pain that isn’t responding to other treatments or medications. With over thirty years of experience in diagnosing and treating complex pain disorders, Dr. Alain de Lotbinière can help you find the right next step to managing your pain. Reach out today and book an appointment at either of his offices, located in Stamford, Connecticut and White Plains, New York.