Headache & Facial Pain
Understanding complex pain, relieving pressure, and restoring your peace of mind
Headaches and facial pain can be incredibly disruptive—affecting your ability to concentrate, work, sleep, and enjoy everyday life. While many people experience occasional headaches, persistent or complex head and facial pain may signal an underlying nerve, muscle, or vascular condition.
At Wellspring Pain Clinic, we take a comprehensive approach to managing head and facial pain. Whether your pain is episodic, chronic, nerve-related, or post-traumatic, our goal is to provide relief, clarity, and a plan that supports long-term recovery—not long-term medication use.
Common Causes of Headache & Facial Pain
Headaches and facial pain can come from a wide range of sources. Some of the more common include:
- Chronic migraine or tension-type headache
- Cervicogenic headache – pain referred from the neck
- Occipital neuralgia – irritation of nerves at the base of the skull
- Trigeminal neuralgia – severe facial nerve pain affecting one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction – jaw pain that radiates to the face or head
- Post-surgical or post-traumatic nerve pain – after dental work, sinus surgery, or head injury
In some cases, headaches may also result from poor posture, muscle tension, or nerve sensitisation.
How We Treat Headache & Facial Pain at Wellspring Pain Clinic
We use a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to treat not just the pain, but the person behind it. Our focus is on function, recovery, and empowerment.
Careful Diagnosis and Evaluation
We review your history, headache pattern, imaging (if any), and lifestyle to identify the likely source of pain—whether it's musculoskeletal, nerve-related, or central sensitisation.
Education and Pain Neuroscience
Understanding pain can help reduce its impact. Research shows that when people understand why they have pain, they feel more in control and use fewer medications long term.
Physical Therapy and Postural Re-training
We work with expert physiotherapists to address:
- Neck and shoulder tension (especially in cervicogenic headache)
- Jaw alignment and muscle imbalances (in TMJ disorders)
- Posture, ergonomics, and stress-related muscle tightening
Psychology and Stress Management
Head and facial pain is closely linked with stress, anxiety, and sleep problems. Pain psychologists can help you:
- Manage triggers and flare-ups
- Build pacing and relaxation skills
- Improve coping and reduce pain-related fear
Interventional Procedures (if needed)
For patients with nerve-based or treatment-resistant pain, we may offer:
- Occipital nerve blocks – for occipital neuralgia and cervicogenic headache
- Botulinum toxin (Botox) – for chronic migraine prevention
- Pulsed radiofrequency – for trigeminal or occipital nerve pain
- Peripheral nerve stimulation – for persistent neuralgic pain
- TMJ injections – for temporomandibular joint dysfunction
Reducing Medication Reliance
Many patients living with headaches or neuralgia are prescribed long-term painkillers, including opioids, anti-epileptics, or antidepressants. While sometimes useful, they are often not a long-term solution and may cause:
- Drowsiness or "brain fog"
- Tolerance or dependence
- Reduced quality of life
At Wellspring, we help patients move away from medication-focused treatment and toward restoring function and confidence through a broader toolkit of strategies.
Pain Doesn't Have to Define You
Headaches and facial pain can be persistent, complex, and misunderstood. But with the right support, many people see significant improvement in their symptoms, function, and overall wellbeing. At Wellspring Pain Clinic, we'll work with you to uncover the root cause of your pain and create a treatment plan that's personalised, evidence-based, and empowering.
Book a consultation with Wellspring Pain Clinic today