A Novel Treatment for Headaches following TBI and Concussion

(Full Video at the bottom of the page)

– Trigeminal/Supraorbital Nerve Blocks –

The number one procedure I conduct to relieve headaches and migraines in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion patients is this trigeminal nerve block.

Who?

I perform this in 50% of my headache patients  

Individuals with this condition can go undiagnosed for years. They can endure unnecessary painful headaches due to the failure in diagnosing injury to this nerve.

What?

Most common cause of post-injury headaches

One of the most common causes of headaches following TBI and concussion is a result of injury to the trigeminal nerve.

The procedure calls for a combination of two medications- an anesthetic known as Bupivacaine (8 parts), and a steroid known as Depo-Medrol (2 parts), in a 5 CC syringe.

When?

Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Injury to the Supraorbital Nerve

When a patient has symptoms of intractable headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, migraines, etc., this procedure is often recommended.

Diagnosis is made after a patient reports headache on one or both sides of their head, with pain starting in the forehead above the eyebrow and extending to the area above the ear. Patients often report a knife-like sensation above the eyebrow, which extends to the forehead or to the back of the eye. They may experience a pins and needle, hot and cold, or burning and stabbing sensation in the area of the nerve.

By checking the area with a sharp, dull, cold or hot object, the patient can report either a decrease or increase in sensitivity.

When Pain in the Nerve Develops

Injury to this nerve can result in immediate pain or can develop weeks to years later. The pain most often occurs during the recovery phase of the damaged nerve, where the healing nerve produces a chemical known as Substance P. Substance P is responsible for triggering the pain experienced by patients.

Where?

The trigeminal nerve is located at the level of the eyebrow, at the line parallel to the pupil

The most commonly injured nerve in the head is the supraorbital nerve, which is part of the ophthalmic division. The ophthalmic division is part of the trigeminal nerve. The supraoribtal nerve exits at the supraorbital notch, at the level of the eyebrow.

This procedure is done at an outpatient clinic. It is extremely effective and easy to learn, yet only performed by a few physicians.

It can be done by any trained medical profession, including doctors, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and more alike.

Why?

For Immediate Relief

When I conduct this procedure, I see my patient’s pain levels drop within seconds to minutes. Severe headaches are relieved immediately and the benefits can last from days to months to years.

How?

Learn how this effective and easy procedure can be performed in just 6 simple steps and with little to no complications

*For the purpose of this post, the terms trigeminal nerve and supraorbital nerve are interchangeable.