Understanding Cluster Headaches and How Regenerative Therapies Can Help

Cluster headaches are often described as one of the most painful and disabling headache disorders. Compared to migraines, cluster headaches affect a smaller percentage of the population but these headaches strike with intense, stabbing pain—usually around one eye or the temple—and often come in cycles, or “clusters,” that can last for weeks or months. The impact on daily life can be profound for those who suffer from them. 

Emerging regenerative therapies like stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are now being explored as non-invasive, anti-inflammatory alternatives for chronic pain conditions, including cluster headaches. In this blog, we’ll break down what cluster headaches are, their symptoms, traditional treatments, and how regenerative medicine could offer a new path to relief.

Cluster Headache Vs. Migraine

Migraine

• Pain is often on one side of the head
• Pulsing or throbbing pain
• Pain can last 4–72 hours
• Symptoms often start in the morning
• Aura Symptoms

Cluster Headache

• Pain on one side of the head
• Sudden, consistent, sharp pain
• Pain can last 15–180 minutes
• Symptoms often start at night
• Episodes of pain that repeat up to 8 times in a day

What Are Cluster Headaches?

Cluster headaches are a type of primary headache disorder, meaning they are not caused by an underlying disease but are a condition in themselves. They are part of a group of headaches called trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias and are known for their intense, piercing pain, often described as burning or stabbing. 

Why “Cluster”?

They’re called “cluster” headaches because they tend to occur in clusters. A person might have multiple attacks per day for several weeks or even months, followed by a remission period where no headaches occur. 

Common Symptoms of Cluster Headaches

Common symptoms include severe pain on one side of the head, usually behind or around the eye. These are usually short duration attacks, lasting from 15 minutes to 3 hours but are very intense. Other common symptoms include tearing or redness affecting the eye, nasal congestion, runny nose on the same side as the pain, swelling, drooping eyelid, restlessness or agitation. These attacks often occur at the same time each day and they can even wake the person, experiencing these attacks, up at night. 

Cluster headaches are more common in men and can typically start between ages 20 and 50. They may be triggered by alcohol, strong smells, or heat during active cluster periods.

Cluster headaches usually form in a group. Possible symptoms include severe pain on one side of the head or in/around one eye. There may be a stuffy/runny nose or tears on the side of the head that is in pain.

Conventional Treatments for Cluster Headaches

Conventional treatments focus on rapid pain relief and preventing future attacks. These can include acute treatments like oxygen therapy, triptans (a class of medications specifically designed to treat cluster headache attacks), and DHE medication (dihydroergotamine). Preventative treatments, like calcium channel blocker (Verapamil), are also used for cluster headaches. Corticosteroids, lithium, and occipital nerve blocks are also part of preventative treatments for cluster headaches. Unfortunately, some patients do not respond well to these approaches—or cannot tolerate the side effects—prompting interest in more advanced options like regenerative medicine.

How Stem Cell Therapy Could Help Cluster Headache Sufferers

Stem cell therapy is a promising, research-backed approach that uses mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from bone marrow, adipose tissue, or umbilical cord. These stem cells aim to reduce inflammation, repair nerve damage, and balance the immune system.

How Stem Cells May Help:

Stem cell therapy may calm neuroinflammation in the trigeminal nerve (one of the largest and most important nerves in the head) and surrounding structures. It can also support nerve repair and regeneration, regulate immune responses that may be triggering attacks, and restore balance in the hypothalamus (which plays a role in timing cluster episodes).

Patients with chronic migraines and trigeminal nerve disorders have already shown improvements using MSCs, and similar benefits are expected for those with chronic or treatment-resistant cluster headaches.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) 

PRP therapy involves using the patient’s own concentrated platelets to stimulate healing. It is often injected into targeted areas like the occipital nerve, upper cervical region, or even applied nasally in certain protocols.The benefits of PRP include reducing nerve inflammation, stimulating tissue regeneration, enhancing local blood flow, and supporting pain relief without needing medication. PRP can be used alone or in combination with stem cell therapy for a synergistic effect, especially in patients with structural or nerve-related triggers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Experience Relief at Our Los Angeles Regenerative Clinic

If you’re struggling with chronic or treatment-resistant cluster headaches, you don’t have to suffer in silence. At our Los Angeles-based clinic, we specialize in non-surgical, regenerative solutions for neurological and pain conditions—including stem cell therapy and PRP for cluster headaches.

Led by Dr. Nourparvar, a physician with expertise in regenerative medicine, pain management, and neurological disorders, our clinic offers cutting-edge treatments backed by research, safety, and compassion.

Schedule a consultation today to learn if stem cell or PRP therapy could be right for you. Relief may be closer than you think.

📞 Call us today at (310) 361-5480 to book your appointment or click here to schedule a consultation.