Migraine Specialist

About 12% of the United States population suffers from migraine headaches, and if you’re one of these 39 million Americans, you know how debilitating the symptoms can be. Dr. Shawn Roofian, director of the Ketamine Medical Institute, with three locations in the Los Angeles area, provides ketamine therapy so you can get long-term relief from migraine pain, even when other medications don’t work. Call one of the offices in Beverly Hills, Tarzana, or schedule a consultation online to see if ketamine for migraine treatment is right for you.

Migraine Q & A

How is a migraine headache different from other types of headaches?

A migraine headache is the result of specific changes within your brain. Unlike other types of headaches, migraines are recurring attacks of moderate to severe throbbing pain, often accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine sufferers frequently feel nauseated during an episode, too.

A migraine attack can last for several hours or days, making it difficult for you to go to work or participate in daily activities. Although the exact cause of migraine headaches is unknown, changes in the neurotransmitters in your brain are believed to play a role in triggering their onset.

Certain triggers that may elicit this response from your brain include:

• Food
• Stress
• Hormones
• Loud noises or other external stimuli
• Physical exertion
• Alcohol or caffeine
• Intense exercise
• Environmental changes like barometric pressure
• Certain medications

How are migraines treated?

Treatment strategy often depends on the frequency and severity of your headaches. You can usually remedy an occasional migraine with over-the-counter medications. In more debilitating situations in which frequent migraines force you to stay home from work or miss other activities, prescription medications may offer some relief.

Additionally, you may be able to manage or prevent migraines by avoiding known triggers or making lifestyle changes to relieve stress. When other methods fail to relieve migraine pain or reduce the number of migraines you have, ketamine infusion therapy may be a viable solution that provides long-lasting relief from migraine pain.

How does ketamine treat migraines?

When it comes to pain relief, one of the biggest differences between ketamine and other opiate-based drugs is the way ketamine affects your brain. It targets the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in your brain instead of opiate receptors. For many patients, ketamine offers pain relief with no concern for developing dependency.

Some research indicates that ketamine therapy for migraines relieves pain up to three weeks after the last treatment, and significant pain reduction when migraines do occur.

If you suffer from migraines and other medications and therapies haven’t provided relief, schedule a consultation with Dr. Roofian using the online system. Or, call one of the three office locations in Beverly Hills, Tarzana, California.