“I have a headache.”
In today’s modern life, these words are heard (and spoken) all too often. Stress, lack of sleep, inactivity, and poor posture are all usual suspects when it comes to what causes headaches.
While everyone may reach for the Ibuprofen bottle here and there – some individuals experience such severe and frequent headaches that it causes them to retreat from friends and family, work obligations, and even stopping them from living a normal life.
Aspire Pain Relief Institute is leading the way in minimally invasive procedures for helping patients overcome pain – and our specialization in migraine, headache, and facial pain has helped thousands of people in Tampa Bay get their life back. Here are a few options to consider for migraine and headache relief in Tampa.
Neurostimulation
By applying a dose of low-voltage electricity to the spinal column, many patients find effective pain relief with occipital nerve stimulation treatment. This works by interrupting the pain signals to your brain with a lead implanted under the skin. It is a same-day procedure and patients keep a “pain diary” for a few days following the treatment so that the physician may assess and make modifications if required.
Nerve Blocks
Using cortisone, a powerful numbing agent, occipital nerve blocks work by delivering a dose into the scalp or forehead of the patient. This procedure is called a nerve block because the injection “blocks” the pain from the nerves by numbing them. This treatment is highly effective for patients who report frequent migraines, tension headaches, as well as pain in the jaw, cheeks, temples, and other areas of the face.
Botox®
Botox® has been touted by some as a “miracle” in stopping headaches in their tracks and is often a final recourse when other treatment methods have failed. While it’s more famously known for its cosmetic applications, Botox® has been used in the treatment of headaches and migraines for more than a decade and is FDA-approved. It works by reducing muscle contractions in the area and thereby reducing the number of pain signals being transmitted from the nerve endings on the head to the brain.
Lifestyle: Aspire to Be Pain-Free
At Aspire, we work closely with our patients to determine the cause of their pain, so that we may address and treat the underlying cause rather than simply masking the symptoms with medication. To help our patients receive the best possible outcome, we encourage and expect them to comply with additional lifestyle changes that may contribute to their pain conditions. This may include losing weight, quitting smoking, and abstaining from alcohol.
If you are tired of missing life due to chronic headaches and migraines and are ready to make a commitment to your improved health, contact Aspire Pain Relief Institute today!