Headache and Migraine Treatment
According to the last NICE publication, over 6 MILLION people in the UK suffer from migraines and headaches each year. Each day more than 190,000 people experience migraine/ headache.
A headache is a pain which occurs on the front, back, one or both sides of the head. It can be isolated to a specific location, radiate or be generalised across a larger area. Headaches can appear as a sharp pain, throbbing, or a dull ache and can develop gradually or appear suddenly, lasting several days.
Migraines are a specific type of headache with slightly different characteristics. Migraines can cause severe throbbing pain, usually on the side of the head. People suffering from migraines also report nausea, vomiting, extreme sensitivity to light and sounds, as well as dizziness. Migraines can last anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days.
Migraines usually progress after an initial headache, and many people recognise the warning signs during or before a standard headache. Signs a migraine is developing include visual problems, flashing, blind spots or tingling on the side of the face.
How to treat headaches and migranes?
When experiencing a headache or migraine, most of us reach for oral painkillers such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or slightly stronger Codeine-based drugs, which are available over the counter or, for stronger options, prescribed by your GP or Doctor. Stronger Codeine or opioid-based drugs can have side effects in the long term and could damage your stomach lining.
However, there are now safe and effective alternatives to oral painkillers, such as injection therapy.
What we need to know about injection therapy for headaches
Injection therapy is an injection around the peripheral nerves that cause headaches and migraines.
Those injections can be performed using Steroids, Botox or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). Our specialist consultants perform the injections under local anaesthesia and ultrasound guidance to maximise efficiency and accuracy. Depending on the injection, it can either block the pain by paralysing the nerve or help with a healing process of damaged nerve causing pain.
Patients can experience pain relief after the injection lasting anywhere from a few months to a few years.
Types of injections available?
We offer a range of headache and migraine treatments, including Steroids, Botox or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. These injections are performed under local anaesthesia and ultrasound guidance for maximum efficiency and accuracy.
Steroid injections are commonly used as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. The injection is performed under ultrasound guidance for increased accuracy. Patients will experience results in approximately one week. The relief from pain can last up to several months (three or four months) and can be repeated if the pain continues or reoccurs.
Risks: Dissolving the local fat, increased blood pressure, increased sugar levels, reduced immunity, osteoporosis.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are used to support healing of damaged nerves and tissue, as they contain anti-inflammatory and growth factors. PRP uses natural healing capabilities to stimulate the growth of new tissue and help with inflammation in the area. Performed over 3 sessions for maximum results, PRP injections are made using small samples of your blood to reduce the chance of rejection and improve the procedure’s effectiveness.
Risks: Temporary pain following the injections (24-72hrs), swelling, nerve damage.
Benefits: Long-lasting pain relief, natural holistic approach.
Botox (botulinum toxin type A) is a type of nerve toxin that paralyses muscles. It comes from a bacterium known as Clostridium botulinum. It was discovered as effective for people with chronic migraine while being used for cosmetics treatment. This is a single one off injection.
Risks: local nerve damage, rejection, swelling, pain
Benefits: 30-50% of patients finds reduction in the number of headaches they receive throughout the next year. Botox (botulinum toxin type A) is a type of nerve toxin that paralyses muscles. It comes from a bacterium known as Clostridium botulinum. It was discovered as effective for people with chronic migraine while being used for cosmetics treatment. This is a single one off injection.
Get diagnosed and treated fast
Our state-of-art facility means we offer MRI diagnosis, consultation and initial treatment in one visit.
1
An MRI scan of your brain/neck can be organised for the same day as your initial consultation at a time to suit you.
2
The consultant will see you in the clinic and review your MRI scan to help determine the best course of treatment.
3
If you are approved for injection therapy, we will be able to perform this at the clinic on the same day. Our team will be by your side every step of the way, so get relief from your pain as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
The time it takes for injections to work can vary depending on the individual and the type of injection being used. Some people may experience relief within minutes, while others may take longer to feel the effects.
Like all medications, injections used to treat headaches and migraines can have side effects. Although they are rare, potential side effects include:
- temporary pain following the injections
- increased blood pressure
- increased sugar levels
- reduced immunity
- osteoporosis
- swelling
- nerve damage
No, injections are not the only option for treating headaches and migraines. Other treatments include medications, lifestyle changes, and alternative therapies. It could be worth looking into injections if you have tried several other options to cure your headaches or migraines.
Yes, injections can be used in combination with other treatments for headaches and migraines. In fact, combining different treatments may be more effective than using a single treatment approach. It is important to work with a healthcare provider to determine the best combination of treatments for your individual needs.
A headache is a pain that occurs on the front, back, one or both sides of the head. It can be isolated to a specific location, radiate, or generalised across a larger area.
A migraine is a specific type of headache with slightly different characteristics. Migraines can cause severe throbbing pain, usually on the side of the head. People suffering from migraines also report nausea, vomiting, extreme sensitivity to light and sounds, as well as dizziness.
Oral painkillers such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or Codeine-based drugs are commonly used. However, stronger Codeine or opioid-based drugs can have side effects in the long term and could damage your stomach lining.
Injection therapy is an injection around the peripheral nerves that cause headaches and migraines. Those injections can be performed using Steroids, Botox or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).
Steroid injections are commonly used as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Botox is a type of nerve toxin that paralyses muscles, and PRP injections are used to regenerate damaged nerves/tissue.
Injection therapy offers a safe and effective alternative to oral painkillers, with pain relief lasting anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on the injection.
Our state-of-the-art facility offers MRI diagnosis, consultation, and initial treatment in one visit. An MRI scan can be organised for the same day as your initial consultation at a time to suit you. The consultant will see you in the clinic and review your MRI scan to help determine the best course of treatment. If you are approved for injection therapy, we can perform the treatment at the clinic on the same day.