Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common health complaints people face, but that doesn’t make them any easier to live with. From dull, nagging pain to severe, throbbing discomfort, headaches can interrupt your daily life and make it extremely hard for you to focus. If you’re struggling with headaches that don’t seem to go away or keep coming back, we’re here to help you find long-lasting relief.
Common Headache Symptoms
Here are some of the most common symptoms that people experience
- Mild, dull aches that affect one or both sides of the head.
- Sharp or throbbing pain, that is often focused in specific areas.
- Sensitivity to light or sound.
- Nausea or vomiting (especially with migraines).
- Pressure or tightness around the forehead or back of the head.
- Pain that moves into the neck, jaw, or face.
Our Treatment Approach for Headaches
At Procura Pain & Spine, we know how stressful and exhausting headaches can be. They don’t just affect your comfort. They interfere with your work, your relationships, and all of the moments that you should be enjoying. That’s why we’re committed to treating your headaches, helping you understand why they happen, and preventing them from occurring in the first place.
Headaches can affect anyone, but certain factors might make you more vulnerable. By identifying your personal risk factors, we can effectively reduce the likelihood of headaches returning in the future. Whether it’s the stress of a demanding lifestyle, poor sleep patterns, or even specific foods you eat, we’ll work with you to find solutions that fit seamlessly into your life.
Our goal is simple: to help you reclaim your days and find relief that lasts. You deserve to feel your best, and we’re here to help you get there.
Who’s Most At Risk?
- Stress. High levels of stress can trigger tension headaches and migraines.
- Sleep Issues. Too much or too little sleep, or poor sleep quality, can disrupt your body and lead to headaches.
- Dietary Triggers. Skipping meals, dehydration, or eating certain foods (like caffeine, alcohol, and specific processed foods) can increase headache frequency.
- Posture Problems. Poor posture, especially from prolonged computer use, can put a lot of strain on your neck and lead to tension headaches.
- Hormonal Changes. Hormonal shifts during periods, pregnancy, or menopause can trigger migraines.
- Family History. Genetics can play a role, especially with migraines or cluster headaches.
Understanding What Causes Headaches
- Tension Headaches. Often caused by stress or muscle tension, these headaches feel like a tight band wrapped around your head.
- Migraine Headaches. Migraines come with intense throbbing pain, often with nausea, sensitivity to light, or visual disturbances.
- Cluster Headaches. Severe, recurring headaches that usually occur on one side of the head and in some cases can last for weeks or months at a time.
- TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). Jaw misalignment or strain in this specific joint can cause pain to the head and face.
- Occipital Neuralgia. Irritated or inflamed nerves at the base of the skull can cause sharp, shooting pain in the back of the head or the upper neck.
- Trigeminal Neuralgia. A chronic condition that affects the largest nerve in the head. It causes intense facial pain that can mimic the feeling of headaches.
The good news is that most headaches can be managed or eliminated with the right treatment plan. At Procura Pain & Spine, we can provide several treatment options for specific headache types.
Your Treatment Options for Headaches
- Lifestyle Adjustments & Coping Strategies - Many headaches can be reduced by making small changes to your daily habits. These strategies often include:
- Staying hydrated and eating regular, balanced meals.
- Managing stress with relaxation techniques like mindfulness or yoga.
- Improving your sleep habits to ensure restful, consistent sleep.
- Avoiding known dietary triggers such as caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and alcohol.
- Medications - Depending on the type of headache you have, medications may be an option to help relieve symptoms or even prevent future episodes. These may include over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medications, or medications for chronic migraines.
- Nerve Blocks - For some headaches, nerve blocks can help. A nerve block is an injection that targets the specific nerves responsible for pain signals. A nerve block stops the pain signal from reaching your brain. For example, an occipital nerve block can be used to treat headaches associated with occipital neuralgia, stopping pain that comes from the back of the head or neck.
- Botox Injections - Botox isn’t just for wrinkles. It’s actually a highly successful, FDA-approved treatment for chronic migraines. By relaxing the muscles and reducing nerve activity, Botox can help decrease both the frequency and severity of migraines.
- Regenerative Medicine - Regenerative medicine uses the body’s natural healing abilities to reduce inflammation and boost tissue repair. Regenerative medicine treatments can be helpful for headaches caused by chronic inflammation or nerve irritation.
- Minimally Invasive Procedures - For conditions like TMJ or trigeminal neuralgia, minimally invasive surgery can address the underlying issue causing your headaches. Minimally invasive surgery is not the only treatment option for either of these conditions and may be considered a last resort.
Common Questions about Headaches
Yes. Staying hydrated, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, managing your stress levels, and avoiding any other triggers you know cause headaches can all help. We can work with you to identify the lifestyle changes that make the most sense for you.
Migraines are a specific type of headache that often comes with additional symptoms like nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and aura (visual disturbances). They are usually more intense and longer-lasting than tension or cluster headaches.
The best treatment depends on the type and cause of your headaches. We’ll evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle during your consultation to inform our treatment recommendations.
Get Lasting Headache Relief Today
Living with headaches doesn’t have to be your reality. At Procura Pain & Spine, we’re dedicated to helping you find relief and improve your quality of life. Whether your headaches are occasional or chronic, we’re here to help you explore treatment options and find the right approach for you. Schedule a consultation with us today by calling 936-758-7169 or booking an online appointment. Let’s take the first step toward a headache-free life together.
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