Are chronic migraines dragging you down far too often? If you’re looking for treatment that works, it can get confusing with all the options available.
Understanding the differences between migraine surgery and other treatments can help you make an informed decision. Dr. Marco Ellis, a leading board-certified Chicago plastic surgeon, has extensive experience with migraine surgery. Let’s compare migraine surgery to other common treatment options.
Understanding Migraine Surgery
When you have migraines, it’s often related to pressure on certain sensory nerves and their connected blood vessels in and around your head.
These “trigger points” can be found in several areas:
- Frontal: Forehead and above-eye pain
- Temporal: Temple pain affecting the flat areas just below your forehead
- Endonasal: Nose pain that may also occur behind the eyes
- Occipital: Pain in the back of the head
Migraine surgery is a customizable procedure in which Dr. Ellis releases trigger points based on your areas of pain. He identifies trigger points through injections, such as Botox, and a comprehensive exam.
The surgery process differs for each trigger point but generally involves tiny, well-hidden incisions in the hairline, eyelid, scalp, or nose. Dr. Ellis expertly uses special surgical tools to relieve pressure on nerves and blood vessels. This is called releasing the trigger points.
Migraine surgery can reduce migraine pain and help you have fewer headaches. It can also reduce the duration of the migraines you experience.
Migraine Surgery Versus Other Treatments
Migraine surgery is reserved for patients who don’t get adequate relief from other treatments. Dr. Ellis generally suggests considering migraine surgery only after you’ve tried a couple of different approaches.
Some of those approaches include:
Medication
Medications are often the first line of defense against migraines. Common options include preventive medications (such as beta-blockers), abortive medications (such as triptans), and prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers.
Most are oral medications; some are injectable. Migraine medications only continue to work if you take them consistently for the long term.
Medication responses vary from one patient to another. Some experience only partial relief, and some patients experience troublesome side effects from migraine medication.
Botox injections
Botox injections reduce nerve activity in specific areas, so they’re a good fit for migraines for many patients.
While Botox injections can reduce migraine intensity, frequency, and duration, they’re not a permanent solution. You need a new round of injections every three months to maintain migraine relief.
Is Migraine Surgery Right for You?
Migraine surgery offers the potential for long-lasting migraine relief, but because it’s a surgical procedure, you need to carefully consider whether it’s ideal for you. Dr. Ellis reviews all your past treatments and current symptoms to create a personalized plan of attack to reduce or stop your migraines.
We understand the pain and frustration that migraines cause, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our office at (312) 695-6022 or contact us online now.