Patent ID: 6450170
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
A method of treating migraine, tension-type headache, post-traumatic headache, cervical pain, muscle spasm and atypical facial pain which comprises generating successive pulses of laser radiation utilizing a pulsed Helium-Neon. Gallium Arsenide or Gallium Aluminum Arsenide laser including optical fiber means connected to said laser for guidingy said laser radiation out from said laser to the location to be treated comprising an intra-oral area of maxillary tenderness formed by the branches of the maxillary nerve, said optical fiber means terminating in an application probe tip and said laser having a radiation output of about 4 to about 200 mW, placing said probe tip into the mouth of a subject suffering from said condition adjacent to the area of tenderness associated with the plexus formed by the posterior and middle superior alveolar branches of the ipsi lateral maxillary nerve, producing successive pulses of radiation through said optical fiber means and probe tip so that the radiation impinges on said plexus to at least reduce the subject's symptoms, wherein the treatment with pulses of radiation has a duration of 2-15 minutes and said applications are made to said zone of tenderness from proximal to distal in 2-3 mm increments.