Let's Talk About Your Headaches

Nothing takes you out like a headache … except for perhaps chronic headaches. The World Health Organization estimates that 3.1 billion people suffer from a headache disorder, which makes headaches one of the most common ailments.

If you’re struggling with chronic headaches, let’s talk about it. Double board-certified anesthesiology and pain medicine physician Bradley A Silva, MD, knows just how debilitating headaches can be, and it’s why the Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center team offers many treatments for headaches.

Here’s what to expect when you come to us to talk about your headaches.

Goal #1: Get to the root of the problem

At Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center, we prioritize helping you manage your pain. When you seek relief for your headaches in our Kenosha, Wisconsin, office, you can expect a thorough, patient-centered exam designed to meet your needs and find the relief you seek.

There are many reasons why you might have a headache. Dehydration, seasonal allergies, food sensitivities, and stress can all trigger headaches, but sometimes underlying medical conditions contribute to head pain. For example, if radiculopathy (a pinched nerve) in your neck is causing your headache, the solution is to address the pinched nerve.

Our goal is to diagnose the cause of your head pain accurately and the type of headaches you have (including migraines, occipital neuralgia, and arthritis headaches) and develop a plan for long-term relief.

What to expect during your exam

During your exam, Dr. Silva conducts a detailed evaluation, asking about your symptoms, including the type of pain, where it occurs, and any triggers identified, such as stress, hormonal changes, or weather fluctuations.

He then reviews your medical history and performs a physical exam to help diagnose your headaches.

Goal #2: Explore your treatment options and find relief

Once Dr. Silva determines what causes your headaches, it’s time to review your treatment options. Depending on the cause of your headaches and the severity of them, Dr. Silva may recommend:

Medication to both stop active headaches and prevent future ones
Joint injections or nerve blocks
Psychotherapy (especially if stress is a trigger for you)
Physical therapy, including massage therapy
Lifestyle changes
Botox® injections for chronic migraines

Botox is for people dealing with chronic migraines. Chronic is having 15 or more headaches each month. However, it’s important to note that Botox doesn’t work for all headaches, which is why it’s so important to pinpoint the source of your headaches first.

In some cases, your treatment may focus on treating underlying musculoskeletal issues. Neck and shoulder injuries, for instance, can exacerbate headaches. Dr. Silva can address neck and shoulder injuries with physical therapy, injections, medication, or surgery.

Goal #3: Prevent future issues from happening

Our comprehensive approach helps you manage your pain, but Dr. Silva doesn’t stop there. As a multidisciplinary practice, he works with you to adopt lifestyle habits to help prevent future headaches.

This step may include guidance on changing your diet to avoid triggers, stretching daily to prevent tight muscles in your neck, or taking medication to prevent headaches.

Headaches may be common, but that doesn’t mean you should suffer with one daily. Call us at 262-484-4035 or click online here to get the conversation started today.