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Percentage of patients who experienced a positive response to a new cosmetic procedure for treating migraines migraine headaches and 59 % showed a significant decrease ( at least a 50 % reduction in headache frequency , intensity or duration ). Only 11 % experienced no real change .
So how does it work ? Dr . Guyuron attributes most migraine pain to irritation of the terminal branches of the trigeminal nerve , which is responsible for sensation in the face . The tiny nerves at the end of the branches can get irritated by surrounding structures like muscles , connective tissue , bones or blood vessels , according to Dr . Guyuron . When stimulated , these nerves carry pain signals to the face and head .
The surgery , which can range from removing a tiny nerve branch to removing the frowning muscles in the forehead , “ deactivates ” trigger areas that are susceptible to this irritation .
“ The trigeminal nerve is like a tree with multiple branches ,” Dr . Guyuron says . “ In order for the tree to catch on fire , you need a match . Our surgery is like pouring water on the branch so it can ’ t catch on fire .”
To determine which trigger sites are involved , patients receive Botox ® injections in the forehead , temples and back of the head . If they get relief from the injections , they are considered viable candidates for the surgery .
Although complications are typically minimal , like all surgeries , this one does carry risks , ranging from infection to blood clots . For this reason , many headache specialists remain skeptical . In addition , surgery in general is known to have a placebo effect — often migraineurs find their headaches disappear for a time following surgery .
The latest five-year study was devised , in part , to counter this criticism . “ The placebo effect does not last for five years , and it is not almost 90 % effective ,”
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DOUBLE TROUBLE
If you are double jointed , you may have more to worry about than finger dislocations and arthritis . A recent study out of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine has confirmed a connection between migraines and joint hypermobility , or double jointedness , especially in women . The study , published in the International Headache Society ’ s journal Cephalalgia , examined
75 %
Prevalence of migraine in doublejointed patients
28 patients suffering from joint hypermobility syndrome and 232 controls , chosen from two primary health centers .
Researchers found that the prevalence of migraine in doublejointed patients was 75 %, compared with just 43 % in the control group . People who were double jointed also reported almost twice the amount of migraine days per month and a higher incidence of disability .
Double jointedness is a familial disorder of the connective tissue that primarily affects females . Although several studies have shown the association between migraine and joint hypermobility , this new study set stricter criteria for the diagnosis of migraine .
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