Migraine Treatment at Advanced Pain Institute
May 17, 2021
Migraine is a common condition that can be severely debilitating, adversely affecting people’s daily lives and subjecting them to no small amount of pain. Thankfully, treatments are available for migraine sufferers. Pain management specialist Dr. I. Michael Minehart provides a comprehensive array of migraine treatments, pain relief procedures and therapies at the Advanced Pain Institute. With a combination of innovative and reliable methods, Dr. Minehart and the API can relieve patients’ pain and improve their quality of life.
Migraine Facts
Did you know that in every ten seconds, someone in the United States goes to the emergency room complaining of head pain? Approximately 1.2 million visits are for acute migraine attacks. While most of those suffering from migraines experience attacks once or twice a month, more than four million people suffer from chronic daily migraine, with at least 15 migraine days in a month.
According to the CDC, 15.3% of Americans 18 years old or older report migraines or severe headache in the previous 3 months – a figure that has stayed constant for almost 20 years. Migraines can be severely debilitating and is one of the main causes of disability in the world. Studies on migraine patients show that half reported severe impairment in activity, requiring bed rest or reducing their work or school activity due to the condition. In emergency departments, headaches account for three percent of visits annually in the United States.
Worse yet, despite published guidelines that recommend non-opioid treatment for acute migraines, opioids were administered for adults presenting with migraines in over half of emergency department visits. Using opioids this way has been associated with higher risk of revisits, hospital admissions and increased emergency department stays.
This only underscores the need for effective migraine treatment to ensure reduced or managed pain in patients so that their quality of life will actually be improved. At Advanced Pain Institute, Dr. Minehart provides personalized treatment plans, working together with patients to determine which course of action will meet their needs best.
Migraine Assessment at Advanced Pain Institute
Before migraine treatment can begin, Dr. Minehart will thoroughly assess patients to determine the severity of their migraine and the factors contributing to their pain. Factors contributing to migraine include:
– Sleep quality
– Stress management
– Nutrition
– Hormonal influences
– Other pain disorders
– Conditions such as depression, anxiety, obesity
– Neck or head injuries
– Medication usage
The difference between episodic migraine and chronic migraine is that those experiencing the former have 0-14 headache days per month while the latter entails going through 15 or more headache days per month.
Migraine tends to affect those between 35 and 45 years of age and is more common in women. Attacks usually include headaches that are of moderate or severe intensity, radiating from one side of the pain and pulsing or throbbing, spanning from hours to 2-3 days. It is aggravated by routine physical activity and can also come with nausea.
After this assessment, where the severity of the migraine and contributing factors are identified, Dr. Minehart and the Advanced Pain Institute team will then work with the patient to devise a treatment plan to best suit their needs and reduce or manage their pain.
Migraine Treatment at Advanced Pain Institute
At the Advanced Pain Institute, migraine relief can include the following treatments:
– Acute medication for the onset of a headache attack. Usage is limited to prevent overmedication.
– Preventative medication to reduce frequency and severity of attacks, these include anti-seizure medications, antidepressants and blood pressure medications.
– If muscle tension is contributing to the migraines, anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants can be prescribed.
– For migraines involving inflammation or nutrient deficiencies, anti-inflammatories as well as nutritional supplements and lifestyle changes might be recommended.
– Non-medication preventive measures such as lifestyle modification to address risk factors
Dr. Minehart also addresses migraine and headaches that do not respond to traditional anti-migraine medication. Migraines and headaches can be multifactorial in origin and these factors must be isolated. For example, trigeminal nerve complications can contribute and in such instances must be factored in treatment plans. Treatments for autoimmune conditions have also been successful in preventing recurrent headaches. Alternative medicine such as ketamine may bring relief and can be used in the treatment. For complex cases, Dr. Minehart strives to unravel the causes to deliver effective treatment for his patients.
Schedule a Consultation at Advanced Pain Institute
Dr. Minehart at the Advanced Pain Institute is committed to helping patients overcome pain so they can return to their best lives. For those experiencing migraine and seeking pain treatment in the Arcadia and Encino, California areas, contact Advanced Pain Institute now!