CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Migraines affect roughly 15% of adults in the United States. And if there’s one thing that people living with chronic migraines would like you to know, it’s that migraine attacks are so much more than just a bad headache.
Headaches and migraines are neurological disorders that can have far-reaching consequences across practically all areas of a person’s life. Utah Headache & Migraine is Southern Utah’s only medical clinic focused exclusively on helping patients of all ages manage this complex and often debilitating condition.
“We understand that chronic headache sufferers often experience the stigma of having an ‘invisible’ illness,” said headache specialist Katrina Poulsen, FNP-C. “It’s really important that they have a space to talk about their experiences. We see them, we hear them and we’re going to do everything we can to make their lives as good as possible.”
Utah Headache & Migraine started accepting patients last month and celebrated their grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday. The clinic, located next to Desert Pain Specialists along Sunset Boulevard in St. George, offers a relaxing environment that feels more like a spa than a doctor’s office. Soft lighting, gentle music and soothing aromatherapy begin to calm your senses as soon as you walk in the door.
“It really has been a labor of love,” Poulsen told the small gathering of business and medical professionals at the grand opening. “I can’t even describe how many hours have gone into all the details.”
Dr. Steven Larsen, an interventional pain management specialist, serves as the clinic’s medical director. After moving to Southern Utah in 2021, he observed a need in the community for a clinic dedicated to the specialty of treating chronic headaches and migraines.
“The hope is not just to open up a headache clinic, but to become a renowned clinic,” he said. “The goal is to just go upward and onward from here.”
Although chronic headaches and migraines are fairly common, the nuances of creating an effective prevention and treatment plan require a specialized environment that respects the uniqueness of each patient to ultimately reduce their burden of pain. As the human body can experience over 150 different types of headaches, visiting a qualified specialist is essential to proper diagnosis and treatment.
The specialists at Utah Headache & Migraine recognize that one size definitely doesn’t fit all when it comes to preventing and treating chronic headaches. Therefore, the clinic offers a variety of treatment options. Along with medications, patients may be able to add Botox injections, trigger point injections, lidocaine infusions, nerve blocks and medical cannabis to their toolbox.
Lifestyle changes are also essential, Poulsen said, especially for patients under age 18. Exercise, stress reduction, cognitive/behavioral therapy, diet, acupuncture, physical therapy and sleep regulation have all been rigorously studied and shown to be effective at reducing the frequency and severity of headaches.
Successful treatment requires a long-term partnership between patient and provider, so Utah Headache & Migraine facilitates ongoing care. Specialists are always available to help monitor a patient’s headache and migraine management and modify their treatment plan as needed if their condition changes.
The providers at Utah Headache & Migraine are ready to listen and evaluate every patient on an individual basis, striving to help them get the most out of life. Fewer attacks mean more opportunities for patients to do the things they love to do, and that’s what drives Poulsen and her team.
“The feedback from patients has already been awesome,” she said. “People tell us they’re so grateful to have a space dedicated to their headaches.”
Utah Headache & Migraine prioritizes accessibility to care and accepts all major insurances, including Medicare, along with offering a cash-pay system for uninsured patients. Referrals aren’t required, and telehealth appointments are also available.
Call 435-274-2980 or visit UtahHeadacheandMigraine.com to schedule a consultation.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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- Utah Headache & Migraine | Address: 2107 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 102, St. George | Telephone: 435-274-2980 | Website.
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