Chronic migraines or headaches can affect your quality of life by interfering with your concentration and even vision at times. If you are suffering from this type of headache, you are encouraged to seek medical help from your physician to find relief. You can consult a Phoenix, AZ, pain specialist who offers integrative treatment solutions to people suffering from chronic headaches and migraines. They help you manage your headache pain through a convenient telehealth platform or an in-person visit. Below is all you should know concerning headaches or migraines.
What causes headaches?
Generally, occasional headaches can be due to muscle tension caused by poor posture, stress, and other factors in your environment, including strong smells or bright lights. However, if you experience headaches that become chronic or recurrent migraines, it might be due to some genetic factors, underlying health issues, or dysfunction in your nerves. The pain specialists in this facility usually offer comprehensive pain management services for migraines and chronic headaches, especially when you cannot find relief even after taking over-the-counter medications. The care providers can also treat numerous headaches, including migraines and cluster headaches.
How are headaches diagnosed?
Your doctor usually takes time to review your family and personal medical history, diet, lifestyle, and usually activities to help him determine the specific cause of your headache. He also uses your symptoms to help him understand the severity and frequency of your pain. Similarly, the type of pain you might be experiencing and its location can help determine the type of headache you might be having. Therefore, making it easy for your physician to identify the treatment that will effectively alleviate your pain. In some cases, your doctor may require some diagnostic tests like MRI or x-ray done along with some blood work to help him rule out any underlying conditions that might be triggering your headache.
How are headaches treated?
The pain specialists usually take an integrated approach to care and alternative medicine to prevent and treat recurrent headaches. If pain medications are not enough to treat your migraines or headaches, the care provider might create a customized treatment plan to meet your individual needs. The treatment plan may include:
- Occipital nerve blocks
They are medications that act on occipital nerves found at the neck’s base, thus alleviating migraines. Any dysfunction in the occipital nerves results in headaches or migraines.
- Acupuncture
It is an alternative therapy used to relieve tension and stress that might be causing headaches. Acupuncture is a procedure that involves the insertion of fine needles into specific body parts.
- Stress management techniques
Generally, breathing exercises and other stress management techniques effectively reduce the frequency of your headaches.
- Lifestyle changes
Incorporating a healthy diet and more exercise can be essential in preventing migraines and headaches.
- Prescription medication
There are various prescription medications that your doctor may prescribe to help manage and prevent headaches, in addition to alternative therapies. Your physician may also determine if you are a good candidate for IV nutrition infusions or ketamine infusion therapy to prevent and treat recurrent migraines.
Chronic headaches and migraines can negatively affect how you conduct yourself when carrying out your daily chores because the pain is uncomfortable and unbearable. Therefore, if you have chronic headaches and want to seek pain relief, call or visit Mountain View Headache & Spine Institute today and get started with your treatment.
