Headache Treatment in Delray Beach, FL

Headache Treatment in Delray Beach, FL

One of the most common medical complaints – headaches – affects individuals of all ages worldwide. This condition may range from a mild, occasional annoyance to a debilitating chronic problem. It can manifest in various forms, such as tension headaches, migraines, or occipital headaches, each with its unique set of symptoms and triggers. While some conditions might result from specific lifestyle factors, like stress, dehydration, or poor posture, others can be more complex and linked to genetic factors or underlying medical problems. 

Dr. Aram and her team at Expert Care Center diagnose the type and cause of each person’s headache and provide tailored treatment plans. Therapies may range from simple over-the-counter remedies to advanced techniques, ensuring our patients receive the most effective care.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common type, characterized by a dull, aching sensation all over the head, often described as a tight band around the forehead. They are typically caused by stress, anxiety, poor posture, or muscle strain in the neck and shoulders. While usually mild to moderate in intensity, tension headaches can be chronic and may last 30 minutes to several days. Unlike migraines, they rarely cause severe sensitivity to light or sound and do not typically worsen with physical activity.

Cervicogenic headaches originate from problems in the neck (cervical spine). They are often described as a one-sided pain that typically starts at the back of the head and moves forward. This condition is usually triggered by awkward neck movements, poor posture, injuries, or degenerative processes in the cervical spine. The pain is typically accompanied by reduced neck mobility, tenderness, and sometimes shoulder discomfort.
These are defined as headaches that occur 15 or more days per month for at least three months. Such persistence can significantly impact daily life and might have various underlying causes, including medication overuse, stress, or health conditions. Chronic headaches may manifest in different ways and vary in intensity. However, their defining characteristic is their frequent and ongoing nature, often requiring comprehensive management strategies and medical intervention.
Migraine headaches are intense, throbbing sensations often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Other symptoms may include mood changes, neck stiffness, and fatigue. They typically affect one side of the head and last 4 to 72 hours. Many people experience an “aura” before migraines begin, which can include visual disturbances, numbness, or difficulty speaking. These attacks are triggered by various factors, including stress, certain foods, hormonal changes, and environmental cues, and they often run in families. Chronic migraines can seriously undermine people’s quality of life.
Occipital headaches, also known as occipital neuralgia, involve sharp, shooting, or electric-shock-like pain that begins at the base of the skull and radiates up and around the head, sometimes reaching the area behind the eyes. They are caused by irritation or injury to the occipital nerves, which run from the top of the spinal cord through the scalp. Simple neck movements can affect the nervous system and trigger pain, often accompanied by head tenderness and sensitivity.
This condition occurs when the sinuses (air-filled cavities in the skull) become inflamed, usually due to an infection or allergic reaction, causing pressure and pain in the forehead, cheeks, and around the eyes. Such headaches typically worsen when bending forward or lying down. They are often accompanied by other sinus symptoms like nasal congestion, thick nasal discharge, decreased sense of smell, and facial tenderness. The pain worsens in the morning and may improve as the day progresses. While many people self-diagnose this condition, true sinus headaches are relatively rare, and many suspected cases are actually migraines with sinus symptoms.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common type, characterized by a dull, aching sensation all over the head, often described as a tight band around the forehead. They are typically caused by stress, anxiety, poor posture, or muscle strain in the neck and shoulders. While usually mild to moderate in intensity, tension headaches can be chronic and may last 30 minutes to several days. Unlike migraines, they rarely cause severe sensitivity to light or sound and do not typically worsen with physical activity.
Cervicogenic headaches originate from problems in the neck (cervical spine). They are often described as a one-sided pain that typically starts at the back of the head and moves forward. This condition is usually triggered by awkward neck movements, poor posture, injuries, or degenerative processes in the cervical spine. The pain is typically accompanied by reduced neck mobility, tenderness, and sometimes shoulder discomfort.
These are defined as headaches that occur 15 or more days per month for at least three months. Such persistence can significantly impact daily life and might have various underlying causes, including medication overuse, stress, or health conditions. Chronic headaches may manifest in different ways and vary in intensity. However, their defining characteristic is their frequent and ongoing nature, often requiring comprehensive management strategies and medical intervention.
Migraine headaches are intense, throbbing sensations often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Other symptoms may include mood changes, neck stiffness, and fatigue. They typically affect one side of the head and last 4 to 72 hours. Many people experience an “aura” before migraines begin, which can include visual disturbances, numbness, or difficulty speaking. These attacks are triggered by various factors, including stress, certain foods, hormonal changes, and environmental cues, and they often run in families. Chronic migraines can seriously undermine people’s quality of life.
Occipital headaches, also known as occipital neuralgia, involve sharp, shooting, or electric-shock-like pain that begins at the base of the skull and radiates up and around the head, sometimes reaching the area behind the eyes. They are caused by irritation or injury to the occipital nerves, which run from the top of the spinal cord through the scalp. Simple neck movements can affect the nervous system and trigger pain, often accompanied by head tenderness and sensitivity.
This condition occurs when the sinuses (air-filled cavities in the skull) become inflamed, usually due to an infection or allergic reaction, causing pressure and pain in the forehead, cheeks, and around the eyes. Such headaches typically worsen when bending forward or lying down. They are often accompanied by other sinus symptoms like nasal congestion, thick nasal discharge, decreased sense of smell, and facial tenderness. The pain worsens in the morning and may improve as the day progresses. While many people self-diagnose this condition, true sinus headaches are relatively rare, and many suspected cases are actually migraines with sinus symptoms.

Possible Conditions

Neurotoxins

Botulinum toxin (commonly known as Botox®) injections have become a well-established treatment for chronic migraines. They work by blocking the release of pain-signaling chemicals and relaxing tense muscles in the head and neck region. When strategically injected into specific areas, Botox® can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. Neurotoxin therapy typically lasts about three months, and patients may undergo quarterly maintenance treatments for optimal results.

Nerve blocks involve injecting local anesthetic medications, sometimes combined with steroids, around specific nerves that cause or contribute to headaches. This procedure temporarily interrupts pain signals from traveling along the neural pathways to the brain. Common targets include the occipital nerves at the back of the head and the trigeminal nerve branches in the face. The headache relief from the blocks may last a few weeks to several months, and the procedure can be repeated.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections represent a newer approach to treatment. This therapy involves drawing the patient’s blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and injecting this PRP solution into specific areas around the head and neck. Healing proteins repair damaged tissues and reduce inflammation. In addition to having their headaches treated, patients can stimulate regenerative processes in their bodies by undergoing PRP therapy.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat generated by radio waves to disrupt specific nerves’ ability to transmit pain signals. During the treatment, a thin needle is inserted near the target area, and controlled thermal energy is applied to create a precise injury to the nerve and deactivate it. The effects of RFA can last from several months to over a year, making it a longer-lasting option for some patients suffering from persistent headaches.
This treatment option involves the use of pharmaceuticals to achieve pain relief. It may include daily medications (such as beta-blockers or antidepressants) and acute drugs that treat headaches when they occur (like triptans, NSAIDs, or combination options). The medication regimen is customized to each patient’s specific headache pattern, triggers, and medical history, with regular monitoring to adjust pharmaceuticals and prevent overuse headaches. Medication is a highly effective treatment for migraine relief during acute phases of nausea, blurred vision, and extreme sensitivity to light.

Possible Treatments

Candidates for Headache Treatment

People with chronic headaches and migraines
Individuals with medication overuse headaches
Patients with tension-type headaches
People with occipital headaches
Individuals with cluster headaches
Patients with underlying neurological conditions

Many circumstances and conditions may lead individuals to seek headache relief. This problem can occur at any age. Below are the groups of individuals who might be ideal candidates for our treatments:

Benefits of Headache Treatment

After successfully treating headaches, our patients can significantly improve their quality of life. Dr. Aram and her expert team help people alleviate painful sensations and restore normal functioning. Here are the main benefits of our therapies:

Reduction in headache frequency and severity
Improved quality of life
Enhanced daily functionality
Tailored, patient-specific solutions
Non-invasive and minimally invasive options
More effective than chiropractic treatment
Long-lasting symptom relief

Cost of Headache Treatment in Delray Beach, FL

The cost of headache treatment in Delray Beach ranges from $200 to $3,500, depending on the specific method and the number of sessions. Nerve blockers and medication are the cheapest options, and they provide significant pain relief from migraines. Chiropractic care is comparable in price but cannot address all causes of headaches. Many patients do not benefit from it all, especially when experiencing acute symptoms. Chiropractic treatment starts at $70 per session. The most expensive options are PRP therapy and radiofrequency ablation, offering long-term relief. Patients should consult Dr. Aram for accurate price quotes for their specific conditions and needs.

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What Makes Our Headache Treatments
Different From Others?

What Makes Our Headache Treatments Different From Others?

Expert Care Center is the best place for headache treatment in Delray Beach, thanks to the exceptional leadership of Dr. Gazelle Aram, our double board-certified specialist in pain management and anesthesiology. Her therapeutic approach is comprehensive and individualized, drawing from her extensive medical background and commitment to holistic healing. Many people have benefitted from Dr. Aram’s patient-centric philosophy and her ability to address the root causes of each headache and migraine. With her prestigious educational background from Albany Medical College and specialized training from institutions like the University of California San Diego, Dr. Aram brings cutting-edge pain management techniques to help our patients enjoy their lives to the fullest!