88
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,”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
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.
www. headwisemag. org | National Headache Foundation 13