Newer interventional therapies are providing meaningful relief to patients with chronic migraine who do not respond to conventional treatment, according to neurologists at Aster Prime Hospital, Ameerpet. Recent case experiences from the hospital highlight the growing role of procedures such as Greater Occipital Nerve (GON) blocks in improving outcomes for patients with refractory migraine. Doctors shared these success stories on Wednesday in Hyderabad.
Case One: Long-Standing Migraine Finally Controlled
As per the press release, one such case involved a 36-year-old homemaker from Khammam who had suffered from daily migraine-like headaches for nearly seven years. Despite trying multiple medications, her symptoms persisted and significantly disrupted her daily life. In November 2025, doctors at Aster Prime Hospital performed a GON block. Following the procedure, she experienced a marked reduction in headache days, allowing clinicians to gradually taper her medications.
Case Two: Safe Relief During Breastfeeding
In another instance, a 28-year-old breastfeeding woman presented with frequent migraine-like headaches. Since many standard migraine medications are not recommended during breastfeeding, treatment options were limited. Doctors offered her a GON block, after which she reported nearly a 70% reduction in headache severity within two months, along with improved daily functioning.
Expanding Role of Interventional Migraine Care
“These cases demonstrate the expanding role of interventional therapies in migraine management, especially for patients who respond poorly to oral medications or where drug use is restricted,” said Dr Vivek Potluri, Consultant Neurologist at Aster Prime Hospital.
Migraine: A Common Yet Underestimated Disorder
Migraine remains one of the most common neurological disorders worldwide, affecting nearly 18% of women and 6% of men. Chronic migraine impacts about 2% of the population. However, people often dismiss migraine as a routine headache, even though it is a complex neurological condition marked by severe pain, nausea, visual disturbances, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound.
A Leading Cause of Disability
“Migraine ranks as the second leading cause of disability globally and the leading cause among young women,” Dr Potluri noted, underscoring its significant public health impact.
Large Gaps in Preventive Treatment
Although migraine management typically begins with lifestyle measures—such as regular sleep, adequate hydration, stress control, and trigger avoidance—many patients continue to experience disabling attacks. Moreover, a study published in the journal Headache found that 84.5% of patients eligible for preventive therapy were not receiving it. This highlights a substantial treatment gap.
Newer Options Reduce Headache Burden
In this context, recent advances such as GON blocks and botulinum toxin injections have expanded treatment choices. These options are particularly helpful for patients with difficult-to-treat migraine. According to Dr Potluri, these simple outpatient procedures can significantly reduce headache frequency. When used in appropriately selected patients, they can also reduce dependence on medications.