Treatments

The Headache Center team takes a holistic approach to treating patients, understanding that headaches can be the result of a variety of genetic, biological, hormonal, and environmental factors.

We work with each patient individually to pinpoint causes and find the most effective treatment. Drawing on our institute model of care, we can access the expert opinions of providers from multiple clinical specialties in the process.

Because every person’s experience is different, we offer an array of possible treatments from medication to devices to guidance on lifestyle changes to therapy. These options are available at every Headache Center location for your convenience. In addition, our innovative team is on the forefront of research and is always eager to introduce new advances that might help patients.

Our goal is to work with you and your family to help you find relief from headache and enjoy life to the fullest.


Treatments we offer include: 

  • Behavioral Feedback
    Biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are both non-medication treatments for headache. With CBT, you will be taught relaxation techniques and ways to identify and manage headache triggers and stress. You will also be urged to seek treatment for any co-existing conditions such as depression, anxiety, obesity or sleep disturbance. In addition to helping ease headache as effectively as medicine when practiced correctly, these techniques, research shows, can even help make medicine work more effectively. You will work with a professional to practice these techniques and can then use them on your own.
  • Botulinum Toxin (Botox®)
    Our clinicians perform treatments with Botulinum toxin in the office. They are an approved therapy for treating chronic migraine.
  • Medication
    There are treatments in various categories designed to prevent headache, including certain medications used to control blood pressure, depression, and seizures, as well as vitamins and supplements, and CGRP monoclonal antibodies. In addition, there are acute medications given once a headache has started. Some - triptans, gepants and ergotamines - are specific for migraines, while others include analgesics, NSAIDs, and anti-nausea agents.
  • Nerivio®
    The Food & Drug Administration approved the Nerivio wearable device to stimulate small nerves in the wearer’s upper arm to inhibit pain signals in the brain that cause a migraine. When the device sends the message to the brainstem pain regulation center, it releases neurotransmitters, resulting in significant pain relief.
  • Occipital and Other Peripheral Nerve Blocks
    Our clinicians give injections for patients suffering from different types of headache disorders. The injections, performed in the office, involve a local anesthetic and sometimes a steroid. Patients must wait a few minutes for observation but can then return to their daily routine.
  • Trigger Point Injections
    Trigger point injections (TPI) address knots or tight bands of muscles that form when a muscle fails to relax and can cause extreme pain. The trigger point can trap or irritate surrounding nerves, causing pain in other parts of the body like the neck or temples. When other treatments fall short, TPI helps alleviate this myofascial pain syndrome. We concentrate on the muscles in the neck, shoulders and upper back which we find contribute significantly to certain types of headache.

The Ayer Neuroscience Institute

The Ayer Neuroscience Institute works to treat the full range of neurologic conditions. Our mission is more personal - to provide advanced, collaborative services across the state.

About the Institute

Headache Center