Migraine Symptoms + Treatment Options

Migraine treatment options can vary, depending on the type of migraine and symptoms you are experiencing. Advanced Spine and Pain offers a wide variety of treatment options, including oral, nasal, and injectable medications, as well as Botox and interventional treatment options.

Your headache might be a migraine if:

• It lasts 4-72 hours if untreated
• It has a throbbing or pulsatile sensation
• It usually affects both sides of the head, eye, or forehead, but can affect one side at a time
• Associated with sensitivity to light, sound, smell, and touch
• Associated with nausea and/or vomiting

Causes of migraines can vary. Possible causes can include:

• Dietary Deficiencies
• Hormonal Changes (particularly with menstruation)
• Upper Neck Pain
• Stress and Emotional Triggers

Oral, Nasal + Injectable Treatment Options:

A new drug class called CGRP inhibitors has been developed over the last 8 to 10 years and has revolutionized oral medication management for refractory migraines. This drug class has less side effects than classic triptans, which cause vasoconstriction and can be harmful for patients at risk of cardiac disease or stroke. Medical insurance coverage varies, depending on the plans, preferred medication, as well as prerequisites such as previously tried and failed medications.

Botox Treatment Options:

A chronic migraine is classified as migraine headaches occurring at least 15 days every month. Botox injections have proven effective at reducing the severity and frequency of chronic migraine headaches and is covered by most traditional insurance companies, as well as government payers such as Medicare and Medicaid.

Interventional Treatment Options:

Cervicogenic headaches are migraine headaches that are triggered from upper neck and posterior head pain. Patients who have suffered whiplash injuries are prone to this type of neck pain and headache. Initial treatment typically involves physical therapy and/or chiropractic treatments, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory medication, and activity modifications. After conservative treatments have proven to be ineffective, your provider may suggest cervical facet joint medial branch nerve blocks as a diagnostic test to understand how much of your neck pain and headache is caused by pain of the upper cervical spine. Diagnostic test injections provide short term, but significant, pain relief. Radiofrequency ablation is a long-term alternative which provides pain relief by reducing joint pain, typically lasting at least 12 to 18 months for every treatment.

To learn more about migraines and headache management, contact our clinic and meet with one of our skilled providers.