Headache Treatment Options

Preventative Medications:

  • Medications that are used to prevent headaches and to improve response from acute pain medications. These medications are typically part of the anti-seizure medication group, anti-depressants in low doses and anti-hypertensive such as B-Blocker and Calcium Channel Blockers.

BOTOX®:

  • BOTOX® has been FDA approved for the treatment and prevention of chronic migraine. The typical requirements for use is the existence of a Migraine for at least 15 days per month on average of 4 hours per day. Botox has also shown some efficacy in treating other types of headaches. BOTOX® is given in a 31 injection protocol that has been carefully research and approved by the FDA.

Acute Medications:

  • These are medications used to treat an acute attacks. There are several different types of medications, including over the counter and prescription. This includes medications classified as Tryptans and those such as Fiorecet. There are oral versions and inhaled formulations available.

Nerve Blocks & Trigger Point Injections:

  • These are treatment options most often used when headaches are frequent or not relieved with typical medications and originate from the cervical area. Occipital nerve blocks are commonly given.

Physical Therapy:

  • Headaches associated with muscle spasms and those with a defined referral pattern from the neck area frequently respond to a course of Physical Therapy using therapeutic modalities such as Laser, Electrical Stimulation and Ultrasound as well as some manual release techniques along with Craniosacral treatments.

Acupuncture:

  • Classically this type of treatment can be used both in an acute and chronic setting for treatment of severe episodes as well as preventative for future episodes.