Newswise — Migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches … any headache can be debilitating. Your head is throbbing. You might feel pain in your neck, back and shoulders. You are nauseous and sensitive to light, noise, and smell. You may even have trouble with vision. It can be difficult to do your job, go to school, or enjoy daily life.
More people complain about headaches than any other medical ailment, and about 45 million Americans complain of headaches each year. That equates to about one in every six Americans.
Scott & White Clinic – Round Rock, a part of Baylor Scott & White Health, has opened a headache clinic for patients in the Austin/Round Rock area.
“Having a headache clinic means we can focus exclusively on the diagnosis and treatment of adult headache disorders and/or adult patients with facial pain,” said Stephanie Vertrees, MD, neurologist and director of the Headache Clinic at Scott & White – Round Rock. “We’re committed to the diagnosis and treatment of headaches while advancing knowledge through research, and moving scientific advances into clinical practice. This commitment continues to fuel our focus on providing team-oriented, personalized care for these patients.”
A team approach is used to develop a personalized treatment plan to help patients manage headaches.
During a patient’s initial visit, a physician will discuss the patient’s experience with headaches, take a medical and health history, conduct a physical and neurological exam, and discuss how headaches affect the patient’s life.
The physician then will develop an individualized, comprehensive headache management plan.
Services and treatments could include drug therapy (including acute and preventive), physical or occupational therapy or neck and shoulder disorders, and lifestyle modifications to identify and avoid common triggers. The clinic also offers patients Botox injections, trigger point injections, and cranial peripheral nerve blocks to treat migraine and other headache disorders.
Dr. Vertrees says that “some headache patients benefit from a referral to a clinical health/pain psychologist—many patients who have severe headaches experience a lot of stress, depression, and anxiety that can contribute to their condition.” The psychologist may recommend treatments such as biofeedback, mindfulness meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and group therapy.
The Scott & White – Round Rock Headache Clinic is at 425 University Blvd. in Round Rock, 78665. For more information, please call 512-509-0200.
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