Are There Interventional Treatments for My Daily Head Pain?

Everyone experiences head pain occasionally, often due to migraines, dehydration, or other common triggers. But if your pain happens 15 or more days each month, it’s considered chronic and may be linked to an underlying health condition.

At Palm Beach Pain Institute in Delray Beach, Florida, board-certified pain management physician Marcie Merson, MD, specializes in treating daily head pain.

This article explains common causes of daily head pain, introduces interventional pain management as a treatment option, and highlights how it can help ease your symptoms.

Common causes of daily head pain

One of the following factors often causes daily head pain:

Chronic migraines

A migraine is a complex neurological disorder that causes intense pain and throbbing on one side of the head. It can also cause nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances. Researchers don’t know why migraines happen, but a combination of genetics and environmental factors may play a role.

Tension-type headaches

These headaches are common and cause a dull, aching pain or feeling of pressure across the forehead, temples, or back of your head. Tension-type headaches often get triggered by stress or lifestyle factors, like poor posture.

Cervicogenic headaches

Underlying neck issues, such as joint dysfunction or muscle tension, cause cervicogenic headaches, also called secondary headaches. This type of pain originates in another part of your body, but your brain interprets it as coming from your head.

Regardless of daily head pain occurring, identifying the cause is essential. The sooner you receive a diagnosis, the sooner you can take steps to avoid triggers and feel better.

Understanding interventional pain management

Interventional pain management uses minimally invasive treatments, such as joint injections, nerve blocks, or manual therapy, to manage acute or chronic pain. Instead of simply masking your symptoms, it aims to address the discomfort at the source and improve overall function.

In addition to helping you feel better, interventional pain management provides an alternative to surgery, supports your mobility, and reduces reliance on prescription pain medication.

Interventional pain management for daily head pain

When used to treat daily head pain, interventional pain management begins with a thorough evaluation. After reviewing your health history, discussing your symptoms, and completing an exam, Dr. Merson makes personalized recommendations. She may suggest:

Osteopathic manual therapy

Osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) uses hands-on techniques, such as massage and joint manipulation, to ease muscle tension, improve musculoskeletal alignment, and help you move more comfortably. It targets specific issues, such as pinched cervical nerves or herniated discs, that can contribute to head pain.

Injection-based therapy

This type of interventional pain management uses injectable treatments, such as nerve blocks, trigger point injections, or Botox for chronic migraines, to help interrupt pain signals responsible for daily headaches. Injection-based treatments don’t provide permanent relief, but they can ease pain for weeks or even months at a time.

Medication management

Many people with chronic pain take more than one prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. Medication management provides professional monitoring to ensure you’re getting the greatest benefit from those medications. It also helps lower the risk of dependence and negative interactions.

Combined therapies

Many people with daily head pain benefit from a multimodal treatment approach. Together, injections, medication management, and OMT can provide greater relief than they would on their own.

Are you struggling with daily headaches? Interventional pain management can help.

Daily headaches can make it impossible to work, exercise, or do your favorite activities. If you’re ready to explore your treatment options, contact us today. Schedule an appointment by calling our office at 561-499-7020 or booking online.