Spinal Headache Treatment Richardson & Dallas, Texas

A cervicogenic headache is a type of headache that originates from issues in the cervical spine, or neck area. Problems with the vertebrae, discs, nerves, or soft tissues of the neck can refer pain to the head, resulting in tension-type headaches. If you are struggling with chronic headaches that originate from your neck, you might be dealing with cervicogenic headaches. Whether you need a diagnosis, physical therapy, manipulative therapy, or medications for chronic pain relief, you can turn to Eminent Medical Center, your Richardson migraine relief center. At Eminent’s migraine center, our experienced physicians physical therapist team, and pain management specialists can diagnose migraine headaches and provide personalized treatment strategies for cervicogenic headache treatment in Richardson and Dallas, Texas.

At Eminent Medical Center, we understand how debilitating cervicogenic headache and migraine headache pain can be. Our experienced specialists can accurately identify the source of your pain and provide you with a personalized treatment plan, allowing you to live your life free of pain.

Call us at 469-910-8800 or reach out online to schedule an appointment with us regarding your neck and head pain.

What is a Spinal Headache?

A spinal headache is a type of severe headache that results from a spinal fluid leak. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks can occur through a puncture hole in the spinal cord, typically created during a procedure like a lumbar puncture or spinal tap.

Spinal Headache Symptoms

Since there are a number of different health issues and injuries that can cause headaches, migraines, and neck pain, doctors take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing cervicogenic headaches. The International Headache Society outlines the diagnostic criteria for cervical headaches.

In order to receive a clinical diagnosis of a cervicogenic headache, a patient must have clinical or imaging evidence of a cervical spine or neck disorder that is known to cause headaches, and a headache that fulfills two or more of the following criteria:

Neck pain or stiffness
Dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Vision changes (light sensitivity or blurred vision)
Hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Difficulty urinating
Loss of feeling in the back or legs

Long-Term Effects of Spinal Headache

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience prolonged, severe headaches, especially after a spinal tap or epidural, as they can be a sign of rare complications that could lead to coma or death. This includes:

At Eminent Medical Center, we treat the root causes of chronic spinal headaches. Call to learn about options for CSF leak treatment in Richardson and Dallas, TX.

Spinal Headache Causes

Spinal headaches can occur after a spinal tap or spinal anesthesia due to leakage of spinal fluid. Our headache specialists will use MRI scans to diagnose the condition. In the MRI exam, a magnetic field and radio waves create cross-sectional images of the body, providing detailed images of the brain, spinal cord, and surrounding structures.

By identifying the source of the problem, MRI helps to effectively treat and resolve severe spinal headaches that follow spinal tap or spinal anesthesia procedures.

When a spinal headache occurs due to spinal fluid leaks, Eminent Medical Center offers options for minimally invasive spine surgery in Dallas, Richardson, and the surrounding DFW Metro area.

Headache After Spinal Anesthesia

Frequently, a spinal headache occurs when spinal fluid leaks after a spinal epidural or anesthesia. The needle used in the procedure can puncture the spinal sac, allowing fluid to escape from the spinal cord area, leading to headache pain.

Spinal Tap Headache

Spinal headaches can occur after a spinal tap or lumbar puncture, often due to leakage of spinal fluid. To diagnose, your medical provider will recommend magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out other possibilities. The MRI scan helps confirm whether the headache is indeed related to the spinal tap, allowing for targeted treatment to address any spinal cord leakage.

How Our Richardson Spinal Headache Specialists Get a Spinal Headache Diagnosis

It’s important to know what to expect from your doctor when preparing for your appointment. Be sure to mention any recent procedures, particularly a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) or spinal anesthesia. You may want to take a family member or friend along for support.

Your DWF headache specialist provider will recommend magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out other conditions and identify the underlying cause and foundation for planning treatment for spinal headaches.

Richardson Spinal Headache Treatment Options

The usual treatment for persistent spinal headaches begins with conservative methods. Getting bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids, consuming caffeine to help increase spinal fluid, and relieving pain temporarily by taking oral pain relievers are common starting points.

Oral Caffeine for Spinal Headache

Drinking caffeine and taking oral pain relievers can help relieve spinal headache pain. It is often part of initial conservative treatment alongside hydration and may be used as an adjunct therapy while preparing for more invasive procedures like an epidural blood patch.

IV Caffeine for Spinal Headache

IV caffeine is used for spinal headaches when oral caffeine is ineffective or when rapid and potent relief is needed. Our specialists administer IV caffeine to quickly increase spinal fluid production and alleviate symptoms associated with low CSF pressure, particularly in severe pain cases or when preparing for further treatments.

Cosyntropin for Spinal Headache

Cosyntropin is used to treat spinal headaches when conventional treatments fail to provide relief for chronic symptoms. It helps stimulate the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, which can reduce inflammation and aid in managing headaches associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks.

Epidural Blood Patch for Spinal Headaches

If you’re experiencing spinal headaches after a lumbar puncture, our headache specialists may suggest an epidural blood patch to alleviate your pain. An epidural blood patch is the usual treatment for persistent spinal headaches. A small amount of the patient’s blood is injected into the epidural space to help seal the hole and restore normal pressure. The puncture hole will often form a clot, stopping the leak of spinal fluid and relieving the headache.

Richardson Spinal Headache Specialist

Eminent Medical Center offers a centralized location for headache and migraine treatment in Dallas, Richardson, and the surrounding DFW metro area, including spinal headache treatment. Don’t let spinal headaches control your life. Contact Eminent Medical Center today to schedule an appointment, discuss your symptoms, and explore effective treatment options tailored to your needs.