By Dr. Ashkan Jalili
A headache is a pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Of course, not all headaches are created equal. The severity, symptoms, and causes vary.
Interesting enough when I ask some of my patients if they are having any headaches, the most common response is “the normal amount.” I don’t remember when headaches became a normal routine in our lives!
Currently, 11 percent of the U.S. population is affected by head pain and headaches. This number equates to about $24 billion spent annually in medical treatments that don’t last long, not to mention the side effects associated with them. Over $30 billion a year is spent in disability and lost wages because of headaches, which account for 157 million lost work days.
Different types of headaches include Migraine Headaches, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Tension Headaches, Cluster Headaches, Cervicogenic Headaches, and Occipital Neuralgia to name a few. Even though most causes of headaches are unknown, there is a mountain of evidence that food allergies/sensitivities, environmental agents, posture, and sleeping habits play a major role in causation and severity of symptoms.
Current treatments that are available to headache sufferers are oral medications (prescription and over-the-counter), physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, biofeedback, massage/cranial therapy, occipital nerve blocks, Botox injection and trigeminal nerve block. Unfortunately, most of these treatments do not provide a long lasting relief to about 90 percent of the patients.
We are proud to be the first medical center to offer a major medical breakthrough and innovative treatment (FDA approved) to treat different types of headaches right here in Santa Monica. Our protocol is an integrated headache management and treatment program that addresses all aspects of head pain. The hallmark of the treatment is the utilization of a proprietary nasal applicator to reduce or block a hyper-irritated nerve (Sphenopalatine Ganglion) as well as addressing the biomechanical issues of the neck, TMJ and upper back muscles through a customized physical therapy approach under one roof and under medical supervision.
Our Headache Relief Program, MiRxTM, is safe, non-invasive, effective, and most importantly covered by most major insurances and Medicare. At this point, this major medical breakthrough is only offered by Santa Monica Wellness Group and Santa Monica Medical Center.
If you suffer from any type of headaches and treatments have not been 100 percent effective, contact our center in Santa Monica for a consultation at 310.453.8393 or visit our website at www.smwellness.com.
Dr. Ashkan Jalili, DC, DACNB, FACFN is the clinic director at Santa Monica Medical Center and Santa Monica Wellness Group, a Physical Medicine and Anti-Aging Medicine Group located in Santa Monica’s Colorado Center. He is an international lecturer and speaker with Fellowship from American College of Functional Neurology, Diplomate of American Chiropractic Board of Neurology as well as Board-Certified Anti-Aging Healthcare Practitioner.
