Headache and Facial Pain

Columbia Neurology is an established leader in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of headache and facial pain disorders in adults and children.

The specialists from our Division of General Neurology have subspecialty training for headache disorders. We work with an integrated team of pain management and physical medicine specialists to treat both common and intractable headache and facial pain disorders.

Conditions We Treat

• Migraine
• Cluster headache
• Hemicrania continua
• Post-traumatic headache
• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension ("pseudotumor cerebri")
• Intracranial hypotension
• Hypnic headache
• New daily persistent headache
• Nummular headache
• Occipital neuralgia
• Paroxysmal hemicrania
• Primary exertional headache
• Primary stabbing headache
• SUNA and SUNCT (short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms)
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Glossopharyngeal neuralgia

Treatments We Offer

At Columbia Neurology, treatment is individualized to each patient and includes a detailed medical history, neurologic exam, neuropsychological assessment, and other state-of-the-art diagnostic procedures, as needed. We customize treatment based on each patient’s type of headache, headache triggers, and other medical conditions. Treatment may consist of:

• Identification of specific triggers and lifestyle modifications
• Medications to either stop a headache attack (“abortive medications”) or to reduce headache intensity and frequency long-term (“preventive medications”)
• Procedural therapies, such as nerve blocks and Botox injections
• Neuromodulation strategies, such as trigeminal nerve stimulation and  transcranial magnetic stimulation

We also offer referrals for biofeedback, acupuncture, and physiotherapy for patients with headaches who may benefit from these therapies.