Growing evidence of the benefit of a multidisciplinary approach in the management of chronic and refractory headaches has led the Cooper Neurological Institute to establish a dedicated Headache Program under the direction of Cooper neurologist, Mitra Assadi, MD. “The International Classification of Headaches includes over 250 headache diagnoses,” says Dr. Assadi. “An accurate diagnosis and treatment plan can only be established through a detailed clinical assessment that includes patient reports of symptoms, not reliance on laboratory testing.”
The Cooper Headache Program has established a multidisciplinary center that provides access to:
- Medical and pharmacologic support
- Cranio-cervical osteopathic manipulation
- Acupuncture
- Occipital nerve blocks
- Biofeedback and relaxation therapy
Refractory/chronic headaches, which are defined as a headache frequency of greater than 15 days per month and a lack of response to multiple drug therapy, constitute a substantial portion of the Cooper Headache Program patient population.
One of only a handful of board certified headache specialists in New Jersey, Dr. Assadi works with a multidisciplinary clinical team that includes: Jerrold A. Friedman, MD, of Physical Medicine and Jeffrey Bessey, PhD, a clinical psychologist. Dr. Friedman offers patients a skeletal muscular approach to pain management. Dr. Bessey offers access to bio-feedback and relaxation treatments. “Research has shown that pharmacologic interventions are not sufficient for treatment of headaches,” says Dr. Assadi.
For physician consultation or to make an appointment for the Cooper Headache Program call: 1.888.6.COOPERCNI (1.888.626.6737).