Sphenopalatine Ganglion Acupuncture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is the Sphenopalatine Ganglion Acupuncture?

 

Sphenopalatine (SP) Ganglion Acupuncture is a unique and completely new technique developed by professor Li Xinwu, the former head of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of the Beijing Tongren Hospital in the early 70th year of the last century. Approximately 130,000 patients had been treated with this technique, which requires special training from the practitioner. The patient remains in a sitting position while a special acupuncture needle is inserted at the point below the zygomatic arch to reach the SP ganglion. The patient experiences a light electrical sensation spreading toward the check or nose. The procedure takes less than a minute and is performed once per week for a total of 8-10 treatments. This technique appears to be safe with minimal side effect such as local minor soreness or occasional bruising that disappears after a few days.

 

Dr. Song has completed the training and certification to apply Sphenopalatine Ganglion Acupuncture for treating moderate to severe persistent allergic rhinitis, by Professor Li's student Dr. Cheng Luquan.

What is the sphenopalatine ganglion?

 

The sphenopalatine ganglion is a group of nerve cells that supply the inner lining of the nose and tear gland. It is located just behind the zygomatic bone of the head in a region called the pterygopalatine fossa. It associates with the trigeminal nerve and has a connection with the brainstem.

Because of its location and connections to the trigeminal nerve, the sphenopalatine ganglion is closely related to the origin of migraines, cluster headaches and trigeminal neuralgia. In the case of migraines, for example, inflammation of the blood vessels triggers painful signals that spread along the trigeminal nerve through the ganglion.

Since the fact that the parasympathetic root of the ganglion regulates the mucosal membrane of the nose, it also plays an important role in symptoms of seasonal allergies such as nasal congestion and tearing of eyes.

Clinical application of SPG Acupuncture

Allergic Rhinitis

Migraine

Trigeminal Neuralgia and Cluster Headache