As mentioned in a previous blog entry, the typical prescribed treatments for migraines and chronic headaches tend to be sparse. Normally, a visit to their in-network provider will net the migraine-sufferer with a daily medication, or (if medication fails,) a referral for Botox injection evaluation. Unfortunately, these solutions tend to disenfranchise the patient that does not want to rely on medication, nor undergo the injection. However, headache symptoms tend to grow so severe and debilitating over time that SOMETHING must be done…
Fortunately, modern conservative medicine has produced several safe treatments that can be safely evaluated and undergone by the suffering patient before electing for more serious and invasive measures! Below, a few are listed. Depending on the mechanism of YOUR headaches or migraines, one of these treatments could very well be a game-changer for your health and livelihood…
1. Cold Laser. Lasers of various strengths are used across the field of medicine for many purposes. Cold Laser (or Low Level Laser Therapy) is a safe and noninvasive type of laser that has been shown in recent research to provide comparable relief to Botox for treatment of chronic headaches, but with SUPERIOR improvements in sleep quality after treatment! Even more significantly, Cold Laser lacks any established side effects in clinical research, making it an ideal entry point for conservative treatment options. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30427505/)
2. Physical Therapy exercise. Separate studies in the past 5 years have indicated that a combination of aerobic and postural strengthening exercises may treat and prevent the development of both headache and migraine. There are two provisions: (1) there must be a proper clinical examination done to tailor the specificity of exercises, and (2) the mechanism of the patient’s pain must be one that can be treated with exercise. Fortunately, many chronic headaches are traced to the muscles and joints of the neck and back, making them prime candidates for this treatment. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33630184/) (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31813696/)
3. Acupuncture. Used for several thousand years for treating many conditions, there is now high quality Western evidence to validate the use of Acupuncture for treatment of headache and migraine. Further studies have indicated that Acupuncture is at least as effective as popular prophylactic medications for treatment of migraine. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32269669/) (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33618544/)
4. Herbal medicine. Similar to Acupuncture, there are several herbal candidates that show real potency in reducing or eliminating headache and migraine. Depending on the clinical origin of the patient’s pain, unique herbal supplementation may be selected. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23030536/) (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35873759/)
5. Spinal Manipulation. Last but certainly not least, Spinal manipulation has been established as a potent means of reducing both the frequency and severity of chronic headaches, particularly those originating from tension in the neck and upper back. (https://https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32621321/) (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30973196/)
…all five of these treatment modalities are offered at Tampa Bay Functional Neurology! While we recognize that evidence condones each of these therapies for the treatment of headache and migraine, we ALSO understand that each case of head pain is unique. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to functional pain medicine. As a result, each patient of our practice undergoes a thorough and comprehensive history and examination (typically 60-90 minutes) so that the doctor can tailor-make a treatment plan specific to your pain, needs, and lifestyle.
If you have been suffering with head pain, please give us a call or book a consultation with our practice. Life is too short to be lived at the mercy of regular and unpredictable pain. Take the first step with us in taking back your health and wellness today!
– Dr. Devin Radford
