Headache, Migraine and Trigeminal Neuralgia

Our neurologists help you find relief with treatments tailored to your condition and lifestyle.

Our Approach

At Memorial Neuroscience Institute, you’ll find experienced neurologists who work with you to understand your condition and how it affects your life. We partner with you to find treatments and strategies to ease pain and, when possible, prevent headaches altogether.

Types of Headaches

Headache pain is caused by complex signaling among brain tissues, brain blood vessels and nerves and muscles in your face, head and neck. There are many types of headaches. They may occur independently (primary headaches) or due to another health condition (secondary headaches).

Primary Headaches

Primary headaches account for up to 90 percent of all headaches. Common types include:

Tension headaches: Tension headaches feel like a band of pressure or dull pain around your head. The discomfort may spread into your neck and shoulders. Related factors often include stress, depression, anxiety and poor sleep. Tension headaches that occur more than 15 days per month are considered chronic.
Migraine headaches: Migraine headaches cause moderate to severe throbbing pain, often on one side of your head. You may also have other symptoms, such as light and sound sensitivity, nausea, vomiting and vision disturbances. Some people have specific factors that trigger their migraines. Common triggers include hormonal changes, stress, poor sleep, skipping meals and weather changes.
Cluster headaches: Cluster headaches are rare but cause excruciating pain around one eye. They usually strike quickly, last less than four hours and occur at the same time each day. Chronic cluster headaches happen daily for long periods of time.

Secondary Headaches

Secondary headaches are due to other health conditions, such as dehydration, sinus pressure, neck pain or a head injury. In some cases, a secondary headache can be a sign of a serious problem, such as a brain infection, brain tumor, brain aneurysm or stroke.

Other conditions treated at the Headache Center

Trigeminal Neuralgia (facial pain)

Trigeminal neuralgia causes sudden attacks of intense facial pain, usually on one side. For some people, the pain may be more of a constant, burning ache. The frequency of attacks varies. Any touch or movement in your cheek can trigger pain.

In most cases, trigeminal neuralgia results from a blood vessel or tumor pushing on the root of the trigeminal nerve. This nerve is one of 12 that arise from your brain and has branches in the face and jaw. Compression of the nerve root can produce pain anywhere along the nerve.

Extraordinary Headache Pain Relief from Memorial Neuroscience Institute

Diagnosing Headaches

Diagnosis begins with a thorough review of your symptoms and medical history. If you’ve seen other providers for headaches, our neurologists obtain your records to look at prior tests and treatments. Much of the information we need to diagnose your condition comes from these initial assessments, which may take time.

We also perform a neurological exam to determine how well your brain and nervous system are working. A neurological exam is a group of tests that look at:

Involuntary processes, such as breathing, heart rate and digestion
Muscle reflexes, balance and coordination
Senses, such as touch, hearing, smell and vision
Thinking and memory

If there are any signs that a headache could be secondary, we may order medical imaging tests to look for the underlying cause. These signs, or “red flags,” include:

Irregular findings on the neurological exam
New headaches in people over age 50 or during pregnancy
Progression of headaches becoming worse and more frequent
Sudden, severe or prolonged headaches

Headache Treatments

Our approach to headache care is patient-centered and holistic. We take time to get to know you and understand your needs, preferences and treatment goals. We help you understand your condition and develop a care plan based on your headache profile and lifestyle. For many people, this education and involvement in their own care is powerful.

An important aspect of headache treatment is knowing your triggers. A headache log can help you identify these factors and help us fine-tune your care plan.

Treatments we offer include:

Medications

There are many medications that can help stop headaches when they occur or prevent them from happening. Options range from traditional pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) to more advanced drug therapies. Our neurologists are up to date with the latest medications and when to use them.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors are a relatively new class of drugs for migraines. They target CGRP, a protein in the brain involved in migraine development. Many people with chronic migraines are now living headache-free with the help of these medications.

You may take headache medications by mouth or injection. If you’ll be taking an injectable drug, we train you so you can administer the injections at home.

Botulinum Toxin Injections

Botulinum toxin is a substance produced by the bacteria that causes botulism. Botox and other brands of botulinum toxin have many uses in medicine. When injected, they can prevent chronic migraines, reduce wrinkles and more.

Our neurologists follow specific protocols to inject botulinum toxin. While effective, the results are short-lived. Injections are usually given every three months.

Nerve Blocks

A nerve block is a procedure that involves injecting medication near a nerve to relieve pain. Nerve blocks can provide temporary relief for trigeminal neuralgia and some chronic headaches.

Neuromodulation Devices

Neuromodulation uses electrical currents delivered from above the skin to change brain activity. Several types of neuromodulation devices are available for different types of headaches. They include devices you place on your neck, stick to your forehead or wear on your head.

Lifestyle Changes

Our neurologists review many aspects of your life to identify potential headache-reducing strategies. We may recommend changing your diet, taking certain vitamins, exercising more or quitting smoking.

Our neurologists also partner with other professionals to assist in your treatment, such as:

Mental health providers to treat stress, anxiety and depression
Sleep specialists to test you for sleep disorders that may be contributing to headache pain

Prompt Care

Patients with severe headaches that last longer than three days can access rapid care through our office. We may prescribe medications or administer a nerve block injection. Our goal is to provide care when you need it and reduce emergency room visits.

Surgery

Surgery is an option for trigeminal neuralgia and secondary headaches due to brain tumors and brain aneurysms. At Memorial, to deliver comprehensive surgical care we partner with experienced physicians including:

Leaders in Headache Care

As a top headache center in the region, our fellowship-trained neurologists tailor your treatment to fit your lifestyle and needs. We take a comprehensive approach that includes a full range of treatment options and prompt care for severe symptoms.

Learn more about our Headache Center.