Why Testing For Head Pain?
Unless a headache doctor finds the cause of your head pain, finding a treatment that is effective and long lasting is unlikely. When taking headaches into consideration, there are a few important things to note. First, not everyone is the same; we all have different reactions (good and bad) to medications and treatments. What may work for some may not work at all for another. Second, although there are primary names and classifications for headaches, there can be thousands of combinations and symptoms that cause your headache.
Your headache may not really have a particular name; however you may have been classified as having a migraine, a cluster headache or a tension headache. After you are classified, your treatment is a standard “cookie-cutter” treatment process. In reality, you may have a very unique “hybrid” headache that encompasses head pain and symptoms of several headache types. This is the difference you will experience at Painless Living. You are unique, your head pain is unique and your treatment will be just as unique.
The best (and most accurate) way to determine the course of effective treatment for your head pain is through a thorough physical examination and in-depth testing. Almost anyone who goes to the doctor will receive testing; however, is that test going to find the cause of your headache? In order to get the right treatment, you have to use the right tests. When you see a headache specialist like Dr. Cassaro, you will receive testing that looks for specific abnormalities that may be contributing to your chronic head pain. Sometimes it is apparent immediately, other times, it may take dozens of tests. This thorough testing allows Dr. Cassaro to start putting together an intricate puzzle of your headache. That’s where the effective treatment begins.
Some common Tests for Headaches
Dr. Cassaro will first listen to what you say about your head pain. Next, Dr. Cassaro will determine which tests are necessary to see things going on inside your body that he is unable to assess during a physical examination. At Painless Living, you will not just be asked a few questions, get an x-ray and be on your way. If you want permanent treatment, you need a headache doctor that truly cares and will not stop until the cause of your headache is found and your treatment is completely successful. Dr. Cassaro is that headache doctor.
Below are some tests Dr. Cassaro may use to find the cause of your headache.
Headache tests
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Nerve Conduction Velocity Testing (NCV)
- Video motion x-ray
- X-ray with flexion and extension views
- Hormone testing (could be dozens of highly specific and specialized tests)
- Blood tests
- Toxin screenings
- Computed Tomography (CT Scan)
- Antibody/Antigen testing
- Ultrasound
- Advanced urine testing
- Allergy testing
- Gastrointestinal testing
- Thyroid/Metabolic testing
- Evoked Potential testing
- Complete nutritional testing
- Enzyme testing
- And possibly many more…
The list above is in no way a complete or comprehensive set of testing parameters for head pain. Remember, you are unique and your headache pain is unique. Dr. Cassaro is a headache specialist and will determine which tests are absolutely necessary. Testing for the cause of your chronic head pain may include a combination of tests not even listed here. There are actually thousands of possible tests in hundreds of thousands of combination possibilities. Determining the best tests and the best treatment are decided after all possible information is gathered through history, symptoms, outside influences and other factors and a thorough physical examination. Only then can you find permanent relief from chronic headache pain.
Taking The Next Step
If you are serious about getting permanent relief from your chronic headache pain, set up a consultation with Dr. Cassaro:
Dr. Cassaro is the top pain treatment expert in the country. If you have chronic pain, Painless Living can help. Dr. Cassaro will set up a consultation regarding neurostimulation and spinal cord stimulators (SCS). After a thorough review of your medical records and a thorough examination, it may be determined that you are a candidate for neurostimulation. Scheduling the procedure and recovery will be discussed and you will be on your way to living a pain-free life!