A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It’s often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
Interventional headache management aims to stop or substantially reduce head and facial pain. Whereas acute or “rescue” treatment is meant to relieve a single headache attack, and preventative therapies target an overall reduction in headache frequency, interventional management can be both: acute and/or preventive. There are multiple intervention strategies used for headaches, the most common of which are the following:
Mesotherapy is a treatment that involves injecting a small amount of medication into the mesoderm, the layer of tissue below the skin. It is sometimes used to treat pain, including migraine pain.
The GON is located just below the occipital lobe of the brain and runs through the nuchal ligament (a thick band of tissue that runs from the base of the skull to the mid-back). When this nerve becomes irritated or inflamed, it can cause head pain. A GON injection is a way to target this nerve and provide relief directly.
GON injections are performed using local anesthesia and a small needle. The medication is injected into the area around the GON, which numbs the nerve and helps to reduce inflammation. This can provide significant relief from migraines and other types of headaches.
The lesser occipital nerve is a branch of the cervical plexus that innervates the skin of the posterior scalp and auriculotemporal region. It arises from the dorsal ramus of C2 and passes through the dura mater, emerging at the foramen magnum.
Injection of local anesthetic and/or steroids into or around the lesser occipital nerve can provide relief from pain for those suffering from occipital neuralgia. The injection can be performed using fluoroscopic guidance to ensure accurate placement of the needle near the nerve. Once positioned correctly, local anesthetic is injected, followed by a small amount of steroid.
When medical treatment is ineffective in relieving your migraine, you should see an interventional pain therapist like Dr. Myrna Zalaket.
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Dr. Myrna Zalaket, an interventional pain doctor in Beirut, Lebanon, uses her rich background in treating patients with various acute and chronic pain conditions.
Dr. Myrna Zalaket, Interventional Pain Doctor in Beirut, Lebanon.
