When Headaches Become Chronic: Pain Management Solutions Beyond Over-the-Counter Relief

There’s nothing worse than waking up with a headache or developing one in the middle of your workday. While most headaches improve with simple measures, such as drinking fluids or taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, for  1-4% of people, headaches can become chronic. Headaches are chronic if you experience them 15 or more days per month.

Board-certified pain management physician Marcie Merson, MD, at Palm Beach Pain Institute in Delray Beach, Florida, regularly diagnoses and treats chronic headaches in adults. Here, she explains why chronic headaches happen, how medical pain management can help, and when to seek treatment.

Why chronic headaches happen

Many people with chronic headaches assume they’re due to a serious medical issue, like a tumor. However, that’s rarely the case. In reality, lifestyle factors, such as stress, poor sleep, or dehydration, often relate to chronic headaches.

Regardless of the cause, people with chronic headaches often turn to over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or aspirin for relief. These drugs may help at first, but frequent use can lead to rebound headaches, which happen when the brain becomes accustomed to the medication. 

Because of this risk, identifying the source of your chronic headaches is crucial. Doing so lets Dr. Merson address the root cause, rather than simply masking your symptoms.

When to seek professional care for chronic headaches

Contact Dr. Merson if you experience headaches 15 or more days per month, and they affect your ability to work, exercise, or do other daily activities, particularly if your symptoms are severe or happen more frequently despite at-home measures, like rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking OTC medication.

Prompt diagnoses and treatment can reduce the risk of complications and help you return to your routine. 

How medical pain management can help manage chronic headaches

As a pain management physician, Dr. Merson has years of experience treating chronic headaches using an integrative, minimally invasive approach. Depending on the cause and severity of your headaches, she may recommend:

Osteopathic manual therapy 

Osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) utilizes hands-on techniques, including massage and applied pressure, to address the musculoskeletal causes of chronic headaches. 

This approach reduces muscle tension and improves flexibility, lowering the risk of common headache triggers. It can also support healthy circulation and nerve function, making it easier to live your life without fear of constant headaches.

Medication management

Sometimes, underlying injuries, such as whiplash, neck pain, or herniated discs, cause chronic headaches. When this happens, Dr. Merson may recommend medication management with muscle relaxants or painkillers to target the source of inflammation and support healing. 

Before making any recommendations, Dr. Merson reviews your health history, asks about your symptoms, and completes a physical and neurological exam. She then uses her findings to determine the best medication for your needs, monitoring the frequency and intensity of your headaches at regular checkups.

Injectable treatments

If your chronic headaches persist, despite non-invasive treatments, Dr. Merson could recommend injectable therapies, such as Botox® or nerve blocks. 

Botox is often used for chronic migraines as a preventive treatment, helping block pain signals and relaxing tense muscles over time. In contrast, nerve blocks target specific nerves to provide more immediate relief. They can also help identify which nerves are causing your headaches.

Together, these injectable options can make daily life easier to manage when other treatments don’t provide noticeable relief.

We can help manage your chronic headaches

Chronic headaches can drain your energy, making it difficult to have an active and productive life. Schedule an appointment today to explore potential treatment options. Non-invasive and minimally invasive measures can help you feel your best. Book online or call our office at 561-499-7020.