A minimally invasive, nonopioid procedure
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block in Woodlands: A Targeted Nerve Block for Migraine and Facial Pain
A minimally invasive, nonopioid procedure for stubborn head and face pain, led by Dr. Ho, a board-certified anesthesiologist. Three Houston clinics near you stay open 5 am to 9 pm, daily.
When Migraine and Facial Pain Keep Coming Back
You know the routine by now. The migraine that wipes out a whole afternoon. The cluster headache that hits on schedule and drops you to the floor. The facial nerve pain that flares from something as small as a gust of wind or a bite of food. Groups like the American Migraine Foundation point to nerve blocks as one option worth exploring once standard treatment stalls.
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block, often shortened to SPG block, calms a nerve cluster tucked behind the nose that feeds a large share of head and facial pain. Physicians reach for it once typical headache treatment stops delivering real relief. Dr. Ho performs the procedure himself inside Catalyst Health & Wellness, where every visit starts with a screening and ends with a monitoring period. For head and facial pain, this remains an off-label approach, one built to run alongside your neurologist or headache specialist rather than take their place. Results differ from patient to patient, and Woodlands residents can reach any of our three Houston offices for a consultation.
What Does a Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block Involve?
The sphenopalatine ganglion is a compact nerve cluster resting just behind your nose, inside a narrow space called the pterygopalatine fossa. Outside the brain, it ranks as the largest nerve cluster in the head, and it sits at a crossroads where sensory and autonomic fibers linked to head and facial pain all meet.
An SPG block bathes that ganglion in local anesthetic to quiet the signals moving through it. Dr. Ho typically uses a transnasal approach for this. A slender, flexible catheter passes through the nostril and delivers medication to the rear of the nasal cavity, precisely where the ganglion sits. No needle touches the face during this approach, and the entire procedure wraps up in a matter of minutes.
What the research points to:
What Our Patients Say
How the Nerve Block Works
Think of the sphenopalatine ganglion as a switchboard handling much of the sensation and autonomic activity across your face, sinuses, and forehead. In many headache and facial pain conditions, that switchboard stays stuck in the on position, driving both the pain itself and the congestion, watery eyes, and pressure that usually tag along with a bad flare.
Quieting an Overworked Nerve Hub
Bathing the ganglion in local anesthetic briefly shuts down the signals traveling through it. For some patients, quieting that center helps break a pain cycle that's grown self-perpetuating. Since the anesthetic lands directly on the ganglion, the effect stays concentrated on pathways tied to head and face pain instead of spreading through the entire body.
Interrupting the Pain and Reflex Loop
The sphenopalatine ganglion carries parasympathetic fibers, which explains why headaches often arrive with a runny nose, watery eye, or facial pressure on the same side. Interrupting that loop can ease both symptoms together for some people. Everyone reacts differently, and the block is meant to support the rest of your treatment plan rather than stand alone.
Head and Face Pain We Evaluate for SPG Block
We consider a sphenopalatine ganglion block for patients whose head or face pain hasn’t eased with typical first-line care. Whether it’s right for you comes down to your diagnosis, history, and goals.
Chronic or Refractory Migraine
When migraines keep breaking through preventive and acute medications.
Cluster Headache
The condition with the strongest research support for SPG block.
Trigeminal Neuralgia and Facial Nerve Pain
Sharp, shocking facial pain that's hard to control.
Persistent Facial Pain
Ongoing facial pain without a clear structural cause.
Post-Traumatic Headache
Headache lingering after a head injury, an area still being studied.
Other Head and Face Pain
Where your physician believes a nerve block may be worth exploring.
If you're already exploring our other migraine or chronic pain options, Dr. Ho can walk you through how a nerve block might fit into your plan. SPG block can also pair well with stellate ganglion block for patients managing both trauma symptoms and head pain.
Your Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block Journey at Catalyst Health & Wellness
Every step is clear, comfortable, and built around your needs. Here's what to expect.
Step 1: Free Phone Consultation
Your journey starts with a no cost, confidential phone call. It isn’t a sales pitch, just a real conversation about whether an SPG block makes sense for you. You’ll:
- Ask any questions about the procedure
- Share your headache or facial pain history and current symptoms
- Learn what a transnasal SPG block involves
- Get honest guidance on whether it fits your situation
There’s no charge and no obligation to continue.
Step 2: Medical Evaluation
If you decide to move forward, you’ll complete a medical evaluation so we can confirm the block is appropriate for you. This includes:
- Review of your diagnosis, medical history, and current medications
- A look at which headache or facial pain treatments you’ve already tried
- Any imaging or records your referring physician has shared
- A clear explanation of what to expect during and after the procedure
Step 3: Day of Procedure
Preparation is simple:
- No special fasting for most patients
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Arrange transportation if we advise it for your situation
- Plan for an easy rest of your day
Step 4: The Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block Procedure
The block itself takes just a few minutes, and you stay awake and alert the whole time.
- You recline comfortably while Dr. Ho positions a slim, soft catheter in the nostril
- He delivers the local anesthetic to the back of the nasal cavity, at the ganglion
- Most people find any discomfort mild
- You may notice a bitter taste, mild numbness at the back of the throat, or a little nasal drip
Those sensations are expected and pass on their own.
Step 5: Recovery and Observation
After the block, you’ll rest while we monitor you.
- We observe you for a short period afterward
- You take it easy for the remainder of the day
- Most people return to normal activity soon after
Step 6: Assessing Response and Follow-Up
Responses to SPG block vary widely from person to person. Some notice a change within the same day, others need a short series of visits.
- We’ll track how you respond
- Repeat blocks may be recommended based on your results
- Together we’ll decide whether and when to continue
Since everyone’s different, we personalize follow up around your individual response.
Research Behind the Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block
Clinical interest in the sphenopalatine ganglion for head and face pain traces back to 1908, and the approach has continued to evolve since then. A review published in NCBI’s PMC database examined SPG block as a treatment for acute migraine and related headache and facial pain conditions. It reported growing interest in the technique alongside a need for larger controlled trials before its role becomes fully settled.
A clinical practice review in Neurology Clinical Practice notes that chronic migraine is the headache type most often treated with SPG block, and that outcomes depend heavily on patient selection and a consistent treatment protocol.
Key findings from the research:
- The longest history and clearest support sit with cluster headache
- Encouraging evidence also exists for migraine and trigeminal neuralgia
- The technique stays minimally invasive, nonopioid, and repeatable
- Larger controlled trials are still needed across most applications
- Patient selection and careful monitoring influence the outcome
That’s a fair snapshot of where things stand: a technique used for decades, with real promise, and still under active study. Part of your consultation is Dr. Ho walking you through how that research applies to your particular pain.
Why Woodlands Patients Choose Catalyst Health & Wellness
01
Led by Dr. Ho, Anesthesiology Expertise
As a board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Ho brings deep training in nerve block procedures and the exact technique they demand. You are treated by a physician who performs blocks routinely and knows how to keep you safe and comfortable throughout.
02
Precise Transnasal Technique
The common SPG approach delivers anesthetic through the nostril rather than a needle into the face. Dr. Ho’s deliberate, patient technique is focused on precise placement and your comfort during a brief, awake procedure.
03
A Whole Person Approach
We care for people, not only symptoms. Starting with your first phone call, we work to understand your complete picture, and we are glad to coordinate with your neurologist, headache specialist, or primary care physician so your treatment stays connected.
04
Extended Hours and Flexible Scheduling
Pain doesn’t wait for convenient timing, so we keep hours from 5am to 9pm, seven days a week, making the drive west on I-10 easier to work into a busy schedule.
05
Comprehensive Treatment Options
An SPG block can be one piece of a larger plan. Depending on your situation, we also offer:
Stellate Ganglion Block
a companion nerve block for trauma and anxiety symptoms
IV and IM Ketamine
options some patients pursue for chronic pain
TMS Therapy
an FDA cleared device for certain conditions We'll help you understand which options, if any, fit alongside your existing care.
06
A Comfortable, Screened Environment
Every corner of our space is built around your comfort. Our staff moves at your pace, screens thoroughly before any procedure, and never pushes you toward a decision.
Getting Started From The Woodlands
You’ve lived with head or face pain long enough to be done with half measures. A sphenopalatine ganglion block is one more focused option worth understanding, and finding out if it suits you takes one phone call.
Call us at (713) 772-5315 for a free, no-obligation phone consultation. We’ll answer your questions, go over your history and symptoms, and give you a straight read on whether an SPG block makes sense. No pressure and no charge, and everything stays private.
Patients travel to us from all across The Woodlands Township and nearby Montgomery County communities, and our three Houston locations sit an easy drive south along I-45. Dr. Ho and the team are ready for every step of your visit.
Monday-Sunday, 5am-9pm
Free consultation
Rapid relief
Three Houston locations
Expert anesthesiology care
Commonly Asked Questions
Get Help NowDoes a sphenopalatine ganglion block hurt?
Most people find it easy to tolerate. Because the common approach goes through the nostril instead of a needle into the face, any discomfort is usually mild. You might feel the catheter and notice a bitter taste as the anesthetic settles in.
How is an SPG block different from a stellate ganglion block?
They target different nerves for different problems. Stellate ganglion block goes to a bundle of nerves in the neck and is used for trauma and anxiety symptoms. Sphenopalatine ganglion block sits behind the nose and is used for head and face pain. Dr. Ho performs both.
How long does relief last?
It varies quite a bit from person to person, and some people need more than one visit. There’s no set timeline we can promise. We’ll track how you respond and plan any follow up around your results.
How many treatments will I need?
That depends on your condition and how you respond. Some people are managed with occasional single blocks, while others do better with a short series. Dr. Ho will recommend an approach based on your results.
Is the sphenopalatine ganglion block FDA approved for headaches?
The block is an established anesthetic procedure. Used for headache and facial pain, it’s an off label option and isn’t FDA approved for those specific conditions. We’ll always be straight with you about that.
Can I drive myself home?
For many patients the transnasal block doesn’t require sedation, but we’ll tell you at your evaluation whether to arrange a ride based on your specific plan. When in doubt, bring someone along.
Can an SPG block be combined with my current headache treatment?
Yes. It’s meant to work alongside the care you already have, not replace it. We’re glad to coordinate with your neurologist or headache specialist so everyone’s on the same page.
Will insurance cover a sphenopalatine ganglion block?
Coverage varies by plan and diagnosis. We can help check your benefits and go over payment options during your consultation.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Sphenopalatine ganglion block is a well-established anesthetic nerve block. Used for head and face pain conditions such as migraine, cluster headache, and facial nerve pain, it is an off-label option and is not FDA approved for these specific conditions. All procedures take place at our Houston locations, with in office medical screening and monitoring under the oversight of Dr. Ho, a board-certified anesthesiologist. Individual results vary, and no specific outcome is promised.
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