CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Migraines are typically what comes to mind when hearing the words “chronic headache,” but did you know there are actually over 150 different types of headaches? As such, visiting a qualified specialist is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.

The experts at Utah Headache & Migraine are ready to listen and evaluate every patient’s case one-on-one, striving to reduce their pain and help them get the most out of life. Along with migraine, the clinic addresses numerous causes of chronic headaches with cutting-edge procedures, many of which are performed in-office.

“I see each of these things at least once a day,” said Dr. Steven Larsen, an interventional pain management specialist and the clinic’s medical director. “This is what we do.”

Facet joint arthritis

A common cause of non-migraine headaches is arthritis of the facet joints in the neck. Located within the posterior spine, facet joints play a crucial role in maintaining spinal mobility, flexibility and stability. Facet joint arthritis occurs when the cartilage covering the ends of the joints starts to degrade, leading to the growth of bone spurs and enlargement of the joints.

Facet joint arthritis is associated with pain and stiffness in the neck that can radiate toward the back of the head as well as the ears and shoulders. The pain is often worse during certain movements or after a period of inactivity or sleep.

Utah Headache & Migraine uses radiofrequency ablation within the upper cervical spine to combat the pain caused by facet joint arthritis. A minimally invasive procedure, radiofrequency ablation reduces pain by utilizing an electrical current from radio waves, administered through a probe under X-ray guidance, to heat and destroy the nerves that send pain signals to the brain.

Occipital neuralgia

Chronic headaches may also be caused by occipital neuralgia, a neurological condition involving throbbing pain that generally starts at the top of the neck and spreads upward along the scalp on one or both sides of the head. It originates from the occipital nerves, which begin where the spinal column meets the neck. Causes include an injury to the spine or neck, a pinched nerve, nerve compression, overly tight neck muscles and degenerative disc disease.

People often confuse this pain with migraine due to the similarity of symptoms, Larsen said. In some cases, however, patients might actually be suffering from both migraines and chronic headaches stemming from another disorder like occipital neuralgia, which is why consulting with a specialist is key to obtaining an accurate diagnosis.

Utah Headache & Migraine targets occipital neuralgia with a three-tiered plan of attack. Nerve injections are the first interventional method, followed by radiofrequency ablation. The clinic will then consider peripheral nerve stimulation for patients whose pain doesn’t respond sufficiently.

Myofascial pain syndrome 

Yet another cause of recurring tension-type headaches is myofascial pain syndrome, a chronic pain disorder characterized by deep, aching pain within certain muscles. Myofascial pain syndrome usually occurs after a muscle has been contracted repeatedly due to repetitive motions used in certain jobs or hobbies, but it can also result from stress-related muscle tension.

While most people will experience muscle pain at one point or another, the discomfort associated with myofascial pain syndrome persists and worsens.

Muscle overuse in patients suffering from myofascial pain syndrome leads to the development of trigger points, which are sensitive areas of tight muscle fibers. A trigger point located in the neck, shoulder or head muscles can cause spreading pain that mimics the pain pattern of a tension headache.

The myofascial tissue is a network that spreads throughout the entire body, supporting organs and connecting muscles, joints and bones. Therefore, treatment for head and neck pain related to myofascial pain syndrome can be complex.

Utah Headache & Migraine addresses these headaches with a variety of methods, including trigger point injections, physical therapy, massage therapy and dry needling.

Although chronic headaches are fairly common, the nuances of creating an effective prevention and treatment plan require a specialized environment that respects the uniqueness of each patient to ultimately reduce their burden of pain. Utah Headache & Migraine is Southern Utah’s only medical clinic focused exclusively on helping patients manage headaches and migraines.

“With headaches and migraines, the most important thing is figuring out the source and really honing in on the diagnosis,” Larsen said. “When you come to a specialty clinic, we’re geared to treat it without any delay. It’s our priority.”

Utah Headache & Migraine, located on the west side of St. George, welcomes new patients. The clinic accepts all major insurances, including Medicare, and telehealth appointments are also available. Call 435-274-2980 or click here to schedule a consultation.

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

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• Utah Headache & Migraine | Address: 2107 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 102, St. George | Telephone: 435-274-2980 | Website.

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