A minimally invasive, nonopioid procedure
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block in Westchase: A Targeted Nerve Block for Migraine and Facial Pain
A minimally invasive, nonopioid procedure for relentless head and face pain, performed by Dr. Ho, a board-certified anesthesiologist. Westchase patients reach three Houston locations, open 5 am to 9 pm, seven days a week.
When Migraine and Facial Pain Refuse to Quit
You recognize the routine. The migraine that steals an entire afternoon without warning. The cluster headache that arrives on a set schedule and buckles your knees before you can brace for it. The facial pain that flares from a gust of wind or a sip of cold water. You’ve tried triptans, preventive medication, maybe a nerve pain prescription, and still the pain finds its way back, prompting many patients to look into options such as sphenopalatine ganglion block techniques.
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block, often shortened to SPG block, targets a nerve center positioned deep behind the nose that influences a wide share of head and facial pain. It’s a procedure many patients consider once conventional headache and facial pain management hasn’t delivered lasting relief. At Catalyst Health & Wellness, Dr. Ho performs the procedure in the clinic, with medical screening beforehand and monitoring afterward. Serving the Westchase district and the broader West Houston community, it’s offered as an off-label option meant to complement the care you already receive from your neurologist or headache specialist, not replace it. Results differ from patient to patient.
What Is an SPG Block, Exactly?
The sphenopalatine ganglion is a compact cluster of nerve tissue resting deep behind the nose, inside a space known as the pterygopalatine fossa. It ranks as the largest bundle of nerve cells found in the head outside the brain, sitting at a crossing point of sensory and autonomic pathways connected to head and facial pain.
An SPG block delivers a local anesthetic to that ganglion to calm the signals traveling through it. Most physicians use a transnasal approach for this. Dr. Ho threads a slim, flexible catheter through the nostril and releases the anesthetic near the back of the nasal cavity, close to where the ganglion sits. No needle touches the face with this method, and the entire procedure lasts only a handful of minutes.
What the research points to:
What Our Patients Say
How This Nerve Block Calms
Think of the sphenopalatine ganglion as a control point for much of the sensation and autonomic response across your face, sinuses, and the front of your skull. In many headache and facial pain conditions, that control point stays overactive, driving both the pain itself and the congested, watery-eyed, stuffy feeling that so often accompanies a severe episode.
Quieting an Overworked Nerve Hub
By coating the ganglion with local anesthetic, an SPG block briefly interrupts the signals passing through it. For certain patients, quieting that center may help unwind a pain cycle that has become self-perpetuating. Because the anesthetic sits directly at the ganglion, the effect stays concentrated on the pathways tied to head and facial pain rather than spreading through the entire body.
Interrupting the Pain and Reflex Loop
The sphenopalatine ganglion carries parasympathetic fibers, which explains why so many headaches arrive with a runny nose, watery eye, or facial pressure on the affected side. Interrupting that reflex loop may ease both symptoms together for some people. Everyone reacts differently, and the block is meant to work alongside your existing care and make the rest of your treatment plan easier to build on.
Head and Face Pain We Evaluate for SPG Block
We evaluate sphenopalatine ganglion block for Westchase area patients whose head or facial pain hasn’t responded well to standard first-line care. Whether it’s right for you depends on your diagnosis, history, and treatment 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 other paths for migraine or chronic pain, Dr. Ho can talk through how a nerve block might fit into your plan. You can also read more detail on our Flagship Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block Program to see how it complements 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.
The Research Behind Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block
Interest in the sphenopalatine ganglion for treating head and facial pain stretches back to 1908, and the technique has continued to advance since then. A review published in Current Pain and Headache Reports examined sphenopalatine ganglion neuroablation and its role in managing cluster headache, along with related nerve targeting approaches for chronic facial pain. It found the most consistent support in cluster headache, noted encouraging signals in other trigeminal autonomic conditions, and emphasized that larger controlled trials are still needed to confirm long-term benefit.
A peer-reviewed overview published on PubMed Central traces sphenopalatine ganglion block back to Sluder’s original 1908 technique and details how the procedure now extends to acute migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, and other trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, while stressing that careful patient selection still shapes outcomes.
What the research shows:
- The longest track record and strongest support is in cluster headache
- Supportive evidence exists in migraine and trigeminal neuralgia
- The procedure stays minimally invasive, nonopioid, and repeatable
- Larger randomized trials are still needed across most uses
- Candidate selection and clinical monitoring shape the results
That’s an honest picture of where the science sits: widely used for decades, promising, and still being studied. Part of what your consultation covers is Dr. Ho’s read on that research and whether it applies to your particular pain.
Why Westchase Patients Choose Catalyst Health & Wellness
01
Led by Dr. Ho, Anesthesiology Expertise
As a board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Ho brings deep training in nerve blocks and the exact technique these procedures demand. You're in the hands of a physician who performs blocks routinely and knows how to keep you comfortable and safe throughout.
02
Precise Transnasal Technique
The standard SPG technique places anesthetic through the nostril instead of a needle into the face. Dr. Ho’s careful, deliberate approach aims for precise placement and your comfort during an awake procedure that takes only a few minutes.
03
A Whole Person Approach
We treat people, not just symptoms. From your first phone call, we work to understand your full picture, and we’re glad to coordinate with your neurologist, headache specialist, or primary care physician so your care 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 With Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block Near Westchase
You’ve lived with head or face pain long enough to be tired of half measures. Westchase sits about 3.4 miles from South Loop. A sphenopalatine block is one option worth exploring, and checking is simple.
Call us at (713) 772-5315 for your free, no-obligation phone consultation. We’ll answer your questions, talk through your history and symptoms, and give you an honest read on whether an SPG block makes sense. No pressure, no charge, and everything stays confidential.
With three convenient Houston locations and hours from 5 am to 9 pm every day, we make it easy to get care when you need it. Dr. Ho and the team are here for every step.
Our Schedule
- Monday through Sunday, 5 am to 9 pm
- Free phone consultation
- Rapid access to care
- Three Houston locations
- Expert anesthesiology oversight
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 procedure. When used for head and facial pain conditions, including migraine, cluster headache, and facial nerve pain, it is offered as an off-label option and does not carry FDA approval for these specific conditions. Every procedure at Catalyst Health & Wellness includes in-office medical screening and monitoring under the direct oversight of Dr. Ho, a board-certified anesthesiologist. Results vary from person to person, and no specific outcome is ever guaranteed.
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