Headache and Migraine Treatments
Headaches are a common complaint in our daily lives. Yet, “common” does not necessarily make them “simple.” While a headache can be a result of a non-emergency condition like allergies and sinusitis, the truth is that headaches can be a significant health concern. There are more patients with headaches than any other neurological issue – including stroke. Further, many of these headaches can be debilitating. Our neurology team offers expert diagnosis and coordinated care for all types of headaches. We specialize in treating refractory migraine headaches that do not respond to conventional therapies, offering the latest treatment options to restore optimal daily functioning and quality of life.Our Locations
Hackensack University Medical Center
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
Conditions We Treat
- Cervicogenic headache
- Chronic daily headaches
- Cluster headaches
- Concussion-related headaches
- Facial pain
- Migraine headaches
- New daily persistent headaches
- Tension headaches
- Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias
Diagnosis
Blood or Urine Tests
Blood and urine tests look for a variety of medical conditions that could cause headache.
Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)
A spinal tap is a procedure that involves taking a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid so it can be examined for abnormalities.
Neuroimaging
We offer a full range of neuroimaging tests that can identify the cause of headaches, including X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans.
Sleep Evaluation
If we suspect that your headaches are related to sleep issues, we may recommend a sleep study.
Treatment
Lifestyle Changes
Exercise, eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of fluids, reducing stress and regulating sleep routines and sleep quality may help some people manage headaches. Our team may also recommend keeping a headache diary to track headache frequency and severity over time, which can help determine how well your treatment plan is working.
Medications
Our neurologists will work closely with you to determine which medications are most effective in helping you achieve long-term headache control. We have started treating patients with the first FDA-approved intravenous treatment to help prevent migraine pain before it even starts. Patients receive a 30-minute IV treatment four times a year, with patients seeing improvements as early as the first infusion.
Neuromodulation
Neuromodulation uses noninvasive devices that create painless electrical or magnetic currents to alter pain pathways, which prevents, reduces or eliminates headaches — often with no side effects.
Pain Management Techniques
Depending on the cause of your headaches, our team may recommend trigger point injections, nerve block injections, or Botox injections to provide temporary pain relief.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy techniques such as massage, heat/ice therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, stretching and exercises may help relieve headache pain in some patients.
Psychological Counseling
Patients who have headaches that are related to or triggered by stress, depression or anxiety may benefit from psychological counseling, which may help patients deal with the emotional impact of recurrent and chronic pain.
Rehabilitation
If your headaches are related to a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI), our neurologists will partner with rehabilitation professionals to provide you with expert care.
Research
Our neurologists routinely participate in headache and migraine research and provide our patients with access to the latest evidence-based therapies and the most promising clinical trials.Mental Health Support for People with Chronic Headaches
There is a strong connection between chronic headache and mood. Having bad headaches may make you feel sad or worried. And feeling sad or anxious can contribute to a headache. Our counseling psychologists can help you learn how to cope with your headaches and take control of your life. With your psychologist, you can improve the way that you:- Adhere to medications, which is very important in the treatment of headache
- Participate in pleasurable activities, with the goal of preventing headaches from controlling your life
- Strive to improve your sleep patterns, your diet, and other aspects of healthy living
Using an integrative approach, your headache physician and psychologist will work together to treat your headaches both physically and psychologically. Often you can see your headache physician and psychologist on the same day, avoiding multiple appointments in different locations.
Our Doctors
At Hackensack Meridian Health, we bring together different specialists in one all-inclusive visit, helping to provide the best, most convenient health care experience for patients and families.
Neurological and Neurosurgical Services
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ALS
- Brain and Spine Tumor Treatments
- Brain Trauma and Concussions
- Cranial Base Surgery
- Diagnostic Services
- Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
- Essential Tremor
- Headache and Migraine Treatments
- Hereditary Neuropathies
- Memory Loss and Brain Health
- Movement Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Neurological Rehabilitation
- Neuropsychology
- Neurosurgery
- Paralysis and Reconstructive Nerve Surgery
- Parkinson's Disease
- Sleep Medicine
- Spine Care
- Stroke Care
- Vascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
