Headache

Advanced headache and migraine treatment in San Diego

A middle-aged woman pinches the bridge of her nose, representing how headache and migraine pain can interrupt your life.

Advanced headache and migraine treatment in San Diego

More than 45 million Americans suffer from chronic, recurring headaches. While headaches are common, frequent headaches are not normal. Whether you have migraines, cluster headaches or tension headaches, it’s important to have a professional medical evaluation to identify the cause of your headaches, rule out other conditions and plan the right treatment. 


Scripps’ headache specialists in San Diego take a multidisciplinary approach to headache treatment to help you quickly reduce or relieve symptoms. Your Scripps neurologist will evaluate your specific headache symptoms and design an individualized treatment plan that targets the underlying physical, psychological and environmental causes of your headaches.

Types of headaches

Our headache care program offers treatment options for all types of headache, including: 

Adolescent migraine

Also called teen migraines, these migraine headaches begin in children under the age of 18. Migraines are an intense type of headache that may cause sensitivity to light, nausea and visual disturbances (aura). Take the migraine disability assessment.

Cervicalgia

Cervicalgia is a pain that begins in the neck and may spread to the shoulders and upper back.

Chronic daily headaches

Chronic daily headaches recur most days or for consecutive days.

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches are very painful headaches that begin on one side of the head and recur for days or weeks.

Medication-induced headache

Some medications may cause headache as a side effect.

Medication-overuse headaches

Also called rebound headaches, these headaches are caused by an overuse of medication, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and other acute pain relievers.

Migraine headaches

Migraine is an intense form of headache that often includes other symptoms, such as sensitivity to light, nausea and visual disturbances (aura). Take a migraine disability assessment.

Sleep-related headaches

Many sleep disorders, especially obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia, can trigger headaches.

Tension headaches

Tension headaches are caused by tightening or tension in the muscles in the head, neck and scalp.

Multidisciplinary headache evaluation and treatment

Scripps neurologists take a comprehensive and personalized approach to treating headache pain. After performing a thorough evaluation, your doctor will develop a specialized treatment program that may include a combination of therapies, such as:


  • Biofeedback to determine the causes of your headaches 
  • Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections to treat recurring migraines
  • Evidence-based complementary therapies, such as acupuncture
  • Lifestyle changes, including dietary adjustments and exercise
  • Medication therapy 
  • Occipital nerve blocks, which involves injecting steroids or other medications into the occipital nerve
  • Pain management classes
  • Preventive therapy
  • Sleep disorder treatments