Indianapolis Migraine Surgery – Migraine Treatment in Indianapolis
Dr. Barry L. Eppley

Migraines are one of the most common forms of head and neck pain. It is estimated that they occur in about 15 percent of people, with women being far more affected than men. The types of migraines vary from one person to another, with different symptoms and countless triggers.

Fortunately, migraines can be controlled with medications that either terminate the attacks or prevent them from starting. However, some patients have not found adequate control or prevention on any type of drug regimen. And some well-controlled patients do not like the side effects of some of the medications, even when they are effective.

In some patients, migraines are caused by the irritation of certain nerve endings in the head and neck. This irritation is caused by the muscles through which these nerves pass. The muscles pinch the nerves, causing inflammation and compression that can lead to a full blown migraine attack. These nerve endings are located in well-identified areas of the head and neck and are divided into four specific zones known as the frontal, temporal, occipital, and nasal areas. These are known as peripheral migraine triggers.

The principle of migraine surgery is to relieve the compression or squeezing of the nerves by the muscles. Releasing pressure on the nerves can prevent migraine attacks from starting, or at least weaken the trigger so that the migraines become less frequent and severe. These trigger points are first identified by Botox injections into the trigger point areas. If a patient has a positive response (migraine relief), then these trigger points can be surgically treated through small incisions hidden in the upper eyelid and behind the temporal and occipital hairlines. The squeezing part of the muscles can then be either partially or completely removed in order to alleviate the trigger point. In some instances, if the nerve is small enough and no harm is caused by its loss (temporal zone), the nerve's endings are also removed. Either way, these surgical maneuvers prevent the migraine from recurring.

While migraine surgery can provide some spectacular cases of migraine relief, it does not always result in a permanent cure. Recent studies have shown it only achieves a complete cure in about one-third of patients. However, more than 90 percent of the time, patients do experience a reduction in the number, intensity and duration of migraine attacks. With the pressure off of the nerves, they are more resistant to migraine triggers.

Dr. Barry Eppley is a premier Indianapolis cosmetic surgery provider who has helped many Indianapolis skull reshaping and migraine surgery patients. He also performs a range of other surgical procedures for wellness, such as scar revision surgery and aesthetic enhancement of the face, including facial implants surgery, nose surgery and lip enhancement. In addition, he has helped many Indianapolis jawline enhancement and forehead / brow reshaping surgery Indianapolis patients achieve stunning aesthetic results.