Patient Information Resources


Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.
763 Larkfield Road
2nd Floor
Commack, NY 11725
Ph: (631) 462-2225
Fax: (631) 462-2240






Child Orthopedics
General
Pain Management
Spine - Cervical
Spine - General
Spine - Lumbar
Spine - Thoracic

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I have been a headache sufferer for many years. Recently the doctor was able to do some tests to show that the head pain is really coming from my neck. Does the treatment differ? Now that I know the source, what should I do next?

Headache pain generated from neck structures is often referred to as cervicogenic headache. Treatment may not be different but the area of concentration may change.

For example, the pain relievers or other medications used for headache pain probably won't be any different. But manual therapy approaches used by the physical therapist or chiropractor may be applied to the cervical spine (or other parts of the spine).

A home program of exercise and self-management that goes beyond rest and relaxation may be possible. Postural and muscle imbalances that might be part of the problem can be identified and corrected.

Your doctor or therapist will be able to apply what are referred to as best practice methods in treating cervicogenic headache pain. This means they can search the medical literature for guidelines on this topic.

Ask your doctor what his or her best recommendations are for you with this new diagnostic information. Don't give up if recovery doesn't occur right away. Chronic pain is a complex issue. Sometimes, even with a correct (or more accurate) diagnosis, the problem is not resolved immediately. Give yourself some time to try each step in this new approach.


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