Is migraine making your life a living hell once again? Are you tired of taking pain medications as they seem to do a worse job each time?
You are not alone, as statistics show that 1 in 6 Americans reported having at least one migraine in the last three months. And the number is even higher for women alone, as 1 in 5 women regularly experiences these painful nuisances.
So, what can you do to treat a migraine? Read on to learn how a healthcare professional can help you get rid of migraines using novel medical and chiropractic treatments.
What Are the Symptoms of a Migraine?
If it is the first time you are experiencing a migraine, you may confuse it with a simple headache. However, with migraines, the headache is often accompanied by a pulsating sensation or a throbbing pain on one side of the head. In addition to intense pain, other migraine symptoms include sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting.
The pain can be so severe that it may prevent you from doing everyday tasks. The worst part is that it can last for hours or days, which could significantly impair the quality of your life.
Some people report warning symptoms often called an aura before experiencing a migraine, but that doesn’t have to be the case. During these episodes, you may have blind spots, light flashes, or other visual disturbances. There could also be a tingling sensation in your face or extremities, and some people have trouble speaking clearly.
What Are the Best Treatments for Migraines?
There are twelve different types of migraines, and your doctor may recommend a different treatment approach depending on the type, pain intensity, and other symptoms. Here are some of the most common ways to treat a migraine.
- Trigger Point Injections: During these procedures, a practitioner locates trigger points causing tension and pain. They then insert a thin needle with a local anesthetic or steroid medication, which should relieve the pain.
- Neurostimulation Therapy: Neurostimulation therapy is an FDA-approved technique for preventing and treating migraines by disrupting signals traveling to the brain. It can be invasive or non-invasive.
- Radiofrequency Ablation: This novel approach uses radio waves and heat to provide pain relief. It helps disrupt signals from specific nerves, easing migraine pain and other symptoms.
- Botox Injections: This go-to beauty enhancer is also an FDA-approved treatment for chronic headaches. Botox enters the nerve endings and prevents signal transmissions between neurons, alleviating pain.
- Nerve Blocks: This migraine treatment option requires a practitioner to insert a numbing agent around a specific nerve, which stops it from sending pain signals.
When to See a Doctor About a Migraine?
You should immediately see a doctor if you experience:
- A sudden severe headache that prevents you from doing anything
- A headache after an injury
- A chronic headache that becomes worse after sudden movement, activity, or coughing
- A headache with other symptoms like fever, dizziness, double vision, stiff neck, confusion, or slurred speech
How Is Sciatica Pain Treated?
Most cases of sciatica pain are acute and resolve within four to six weeks. They usually require mild intervention, and surgery is rarely needed.
The most common treatments are:
- Physical therapy
- Steroid injections
- Neurostimulation therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Percutaneous discectomy
At Progressive Pain and Rehabilitation, Dr. Nash and other renowned experts can help you get rid of migraines and live a pain-free life once again. We utilize the newest treatment approaches to ensure your pain is gone for good. Click here to learn how you can schedule an appointment with us.