Headache Treatment Methods Available at Neurology Clinics – Complete Guide from Seoul Jeil Neurosurgery

 

“Waking up every morning with a splitting headache… is this just stress, or something more serious?” Many people endure it thinking, “It’ll get better if I rest,” but it often worsens until they finally visit the clinic. Hello, this is Seoul Jeil Neurosurgery. We see countless patients every day who say, “I thought it was just fatigue.” Like our 40-year-old office worker Mr. Kim, who suffered a sudden pounding pain on one side of his head during the subway commute, with flashing lights and nausea so severe he thought, “Am I dying?” It turned out to be migraine with aura, and after prompt treatment, he now rarely experiences attacks—maybe once every few months. He says it feels like getting his life back.

Headaches come in more than 200 types, and many can be fully managed with proper neurology treatment. Today, we’ll share the most common headache types we treat at Seoul Jeil Neurosurgery, along with the latest evidence-based approaches from 2025–2026 guidelines.

Source: Korean Headache Society Cluster Headache Treatment Guidelines (June 2025) and actual clinical cases at Seoul Jeil Neurosurgery

The Most Common Headache – Tension-Type Headache: That Constant Band-Like Pressure Around Your Head

“My head feels heavy and tight all day, like a band squeezing it… especially after staring at the computer.” This is classic tension-type headache, the most common primary headache in Korea, affecting 30–80% of adults at some point in life. It often stems from stiff neck and shoulder muscles, poor posture, and stress, causing bilateral pressure that lasts hours to days.

Many people mistakenly think, “It’s just tiredness, so painkillers will fix it.” That’s the biggest misconception! Taking over-the-counter painkillers more than 10–15 days a month can lead to medication-overuse headache, making things worse. In fact, about 40–50% of our patients come to us after long-term self-medication has aggravated their symptoms.

At Seoul Jeil Neurosurgery, we focus on the root cause:

• Precise identification of tense muscle areas using manual therapy + prolotherapy injections to release chronic tension.
• Combined with posture correction and stress management programs. Over 90% of patients report feeling “clear-headed” within 2–3 weeks. One 35-year-old office worker, Ms. Park, used to lie down immediately after work due to daily heaviness. After four sessions of manual therapy, she said, “For the first time in 10 years, I enjoyed a weekend walk without pain.”

Source: National Health Information Portal and Seoul Jeil Neurosurgery treatment data 2024–2026

The Most Painful and Disruptive – Migraine: Throbbing Pain, Light/Sound Sensitivity, and Nausea

One-sided pulsing pain, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes vomiting… this is migraine, especially common in women and often worsening around menstruation.

The old belief that “migraines are incurable and you just have to endure them” or “surgery is the only option” is completely outdated! The Korean Headache Society’s 2025 updated guidelines now set a new goal: reducing migraine days to 4 or fewer per month (migraine freedom). No more suffering in silence!

Our approach includes:

1. Acute treatment – Fast-acting triptans + anti-inflammatory combinations to stop attacks within 30 minutes of onset.
2. Preventive therapy – CGRP monoclonal antibodies (e.g., galcanezumab, fremanezumab) or onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injections. CGRP inhibitors, given as monthly subcutaneous injections, reduce migraine days by 70–80% in most patients.

A 50-year-old homemaker, Ms. Lee, suffered migraines for 20 years. After starting CGRP therapy, she tearfully said, “This is the first family trip since my marriage without constant pain.” Moments like these make our work truly rewarding.

Source: Korean Headache Society 2025 Migraine Prevention Guideline and Seoul Jeil Neurosurgery treatment outcomes

The Most Intense Pain – Cluster Headache: “Suicide Headache” That Strikes at the Same Time Every Night

Do you wake up at exactly the same hour every night with excruciating pain around one eye, tearing, and nasal congestion? This is cluster headache, often called the “suicide headache” due to its severity.

The Korean Headache Society’s first-ever domestic guideline (June 2025) strongly recommends high-flow oxygen therapy (100% oxygen at 12–15 L/min) and subcutaneous triptans for acute attacks, plus preventive options like verapamil, lithium, or CGRP antibodies. We have oxygen equipment ready in-clinic for immediate relief during attacks.

A 42-year-old male patient once said, “The pain was so bad I wanted to bang my head against the wall.” After oxygen therapy combined with verapamil, his attacks completely stopped.

Source: Korean Headache Society Cluster Headache Treatment Guidelines (June 2025)

Cervicogenic Headache – Headaches Originating from the Neck: A Specialty of Neurosurgery

Does your headache start from the back of the head and worsen when turning your neck? This is cervicogenic headache, caused by cervical disc issues or nerve compression.

Many people ask, “Shouldn’t I go to neurology for headaches?” Actually, neurosurgery excels at diagnosing and treating cervical spine-related problems. We use 3.0T MRI for precise imaging and offer endoscopic nerve decompression or high-frequency nucleoplasty when needed, providing fundamental relief without major surgery.

Source: Seoul Jeil Neurosurgery cervicogenic headache treatment cases 2023–2026

When Should You Visit Neurology/Neurosurgery Right Away?

If any of these apply, please come in today:

• Sudden “worst headache of your life”
• New-onset headache after age 50
• Morning headaches with vomiting
• Headaches with weakness in limbs or slurred speech
• Headaches in patients with cancer or immune disorders

FAQ – Questions Our Patients Ask Most Often

Q1. Is it okay to take painkillers every day for headaches? A. Absolutely not. Taking them more than 10–15 days a month can cause medication-overuse headache. Always consult a specialist.

Q2. Does Botox really work for migraines? A. Yes, for chronic migraines (15+ days/month), it reduces attack frequency by more than 50% in 80% of patients.

Q3. Is MRI scary? A. We offer open MRI and sedation for claustrophobic patients, so it’s comfortable.

Q4. Can headaches be treated without surgery? A. Yes, over 95% of our patients recover fully with non-surgical methods.

Q5. Are CGRP injections expensive? A. With insurance, monthly out-of-pocket costs are about 50,000–70,000 KRW.

Q6. How do I keep a headache diary? A. Note onset time, pain intensity (1–10), triggers, foods, and menstrual cycle. It makes diagnosis much more accurate.

Q7. Can children have migraines? A. Yes, pediatric migraines are increasing. Recurrent abdominal pain or motion sickness may be signs—get checked early.

If you’re struggling with headaches right now, don’t wait any longer. Early diagnosis and treatment can save your quality of life.

Seoul Jeil Neurosurgery is right at Hwagok Station Exit 1, with same-day 3.0T MRI and Saturday hours. If your symptoms sound similar, please book a consultation today. We’ll help you reclaim pain-free days.

Warm regards, Yang Kyung Hoon, Director Seoul Jeil Neurosurgery

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Image Prompt Suggestions (for ImageFX – English prompts)

1. Introduction: A realistic photo of a middle-aged Korean woman in her 40s sitting on a subway seat in the morning, holding her temple with one hand, looking in severe pain with migraine aura visual effects (blurry lights), natural Seoul subway interior background.
2. Tension-Type Headache: Realistic image of a Korean office worker in his 30s at a desk, both hands pressing temples, expression of tight band-like pressure, computer screen and office lighting in background.
3. Migraine: Close-up realistic photo of a Korean woman covering her eyes from bright light, showing photophobia, one-sided throbbing pain expression, soft indoor home setting.
4. Cluster Headache: Dramatic realistic image of a middle-aged Korean man waking up at night in severe pain, holding one eye with tears and red eye, dark bedroom setting.
5. Cervicogenic Headache: Realistic photo of a person turning their neck and wincing in occipital pain, hand on back of head and neck, stiff posture, natural clinic or home background.
6. Treatment Scene: Warm, reassuring photo of a kind Korean neurosurgeon in white coat consulting with a relieved patient in a modern clinic, MRI screen showing normal results in background.
7. Conclusion CTA: Comfortable modern hospital exterior of Seoul Jeil Neurosurgery Clinic at Hwagok Station, bright daylight, welcoming entrance with clear sign.