Cranial Disorders

Pain affecting the head and face

Cranial Disorders: there are many causes for pain affecting the head and face. In general, headaches and migraines have treatments that require only medication. However, there are some types of severe head and facial pains that are resistant to medication and respond well only to surgical treatments.

Occipital headaches, particularly those arising after a motor vehicle accident or other trauma, can be due to pinched nerves at the back of the skull. Intermittent severe headaches, made worse by looking up and spreading into the shoulders may be caused by pressure at the base of the skull — Foramen Magnum Syndrome (Arnold chiari Type I), while severe intermittent facial pains are often due to Trigeminal Neuralgia (Tic Doloreux) in which a small artery near the brain is irritating the nerve for the face. Treatments for these cranial disorders can include injections or surgery that offer the only means of controlling or ending the pain.

The treatment for occipital neuralgia headaches has been transformed by Dr. Aaron Filler into a simple outpatient procedure than can permanently relieve severe pains. Use of advanced imaging techniques, including Open MRI, has helped Dr. Filler design new safer, more accurate treatments for several types of cranial disorders.

To request an appointment with Dr. Filler and Neurological Injury Specialists regarding cranial disorders, please complete the contact form on this page.