Isaac Spine, Joint & Pain Institute

Migraine Headache

A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head.  A headache can be caused by a problem in the neck. What we call that is cervicogenic headache. Most of the headaches do not come from the neck, most of the headaches have a different source, but there is a very specific type of a headache that is called cervicogenic headache stemming from the cervical spine - or in other words, the neck.

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Cervicogenic headache usually starts in what we call the suboccipital area, which is that muscular area that is just under the occiput of the head. That pain starts there - it can be on one or both sides - and it tends to radiate up into the head and around the head. The easiest way to visualize it is to actually take the palm of your hand and place it on the back of the head and that really is where the pain spreads. More rarely, the pain can travel to the front of the head and behind the eye. 

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Treatments we provide in the office include

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• CGRP monoclonal antibody injections

• CGRP monoclonal antibody injections

• Botox® injections (for chronic migraines)

• Radiofrequency ablation

• Dysport, Xeomin, Myoblock for cervical dystonia

• Peripheral nerve block

• Neuromodulation

Dr. Isaac treats cervical dystonia (Spasmodic torticollis) which is an extremely painful chronic neurological movement disorder causing the neck to involuntarily turn to the left, right, upwards, and/or downwards. This disorder can cause headaches.

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Migraines are often undiagnosed and untreated. If you regularly have signs and symptoms of migraine, please fill out the attached Pre-Treatment Migraine Headache Questionnaire Then make an appointment with Dr. Isaac to discuss your headaches and your treatment options.