Nerve Blocking Therapy (PBS-Approved)

If you suffer from chronic migraines, are over 18 years of age, not pregnant, breastfeeding or planning for a pregnancy in the next 3 months you should consider injection therapy. You should also consider the therapy if at least 3 preventative medications provided from your doctor have limiting side effects or have been unable to provide you with significant benefit. Preventative medications include Propranolol, Pizotifen, Candesartan, Topiramate, Amitriptyline, Sodium Valproate, Nortriptyline & Verapamil. Whilst Triptans are are an effective acute migraine treatment they are not a preventative therapy.

Injection therapy is generally well tolerated. The precise location and quantity of each injection has been tested extensively for safety and effectiveness. A brief stinging sensation can be produced at each injection site. In a small percentage of patients, (3-9%), neck pain, headaches, heaviness of the brow and or eyelids can be experienced, however these are all temporary should they occur.

It may take 4 weeks after the injections to notice a benefit, although some patients may see an improvement sooner. In some patients a benefit may not be seen until after their second injection series. After the injections patients are able to drive home and resume normal activities. Vigorous neck exercises, neck massage, and or physiotherapy are however discouraged for 24 hours after the procedure.

There is good evidence that when it works, injection therapy has a cumulative effect, with better and better response with each cycle administered every 3 months across a year. However after 2 injection cycles, as per PBS criteria, if no improvement is noticed, the injections should be discontinued.

Injection therapy is not a cure for migraines, it does however represent an effective preventative intervention in many migraine patients.

Injection therapy (PBS-Approved Nerve Blocking Therapy) has been subject of several well conducted trials, as well as ongoing clinical reviews, with the following outcomes achieved:

• A 70% response rate after 3 injection cycles¹
• A significant reduction in severe migraine events is seen in treatment responders, with a 90% reduction in emergency department visits²
• Significant improvements in headache related disability, resulting in significantly improved functioning, vitality and overall Headache related Quality of Life Assessments can be achieved³
• Compliance with migraine prophylactic medications is a major issue, with the need to consume an oral medication every day, or sometimes 2 to 3 times per day. Convenience is superior in this regard with injection therapy, with the injection cycles administered every 12 weeks (if required).
• Patients receiving injection therapy also had significantly fewer intakes of triptans (acute therapy), than did placebo groups