The purpose of this book is to demystify headache surgery and explain why it works so effectively. I want you to understand what is causing your pain and how and why this procedure works.
By understanding this procedure, you can make an empowered and informed decision about whether it might be the right path for you. While peripheral nerve decompression surgery may not be suitable for everyone, it has brought substantial relief to countless people suffering from migraines, tension headaches, occipital neuralgia, and more.
If your life is disrupted by chronic headaches, it is important to explore every potential avenue for relief, and this surgery might just be one of the best options available to you.
The excitement of donning my first white coat and stepping onto the hospital floor was tempered by the physical toll that accompanied it. As the demands increased, so did the tension in my body. Stress set- tled like a weight in my neck and shoulders, and I began experiencing headaches with greater frequency and intensity. I simply assumed this was part of the medical lifestyle. After all, who didn’t suffer from headaches when under constant stress? I persevered, dismissing the pain as a normal side effect of the life I had chosen.Looking back, I can now see that my headaches weren’t just a consequence of stress. If I had seen a neurologist at that time, I might have been diagnosed with tension-type headaches, or even more specifi- cally, occipital neuralgia.
Understanding Neuralgia: From Carpal Tunnel to Occipital Nerve Pain
Neuralgia means irritation of a nerve, and this can be caused by many different things. In the head and neck, neuralgia is usually caused by a compression of the nerve by adjacent structures. Another neuralgia that is very well known is carpal tunnel syndrome. This irritation of the median nerve of the hand occurs when the nerve is compressed within the tunnel in which it travels within the wrist, causing symptoms in the hand that can include numbness, tingling, and most importantly chronic pain. I’m sure that nearly everyone reading this book knows someone who has suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome. It is likely these people had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome as it is well known, well documented, and is very well accepted as the gold standard for treating this problem…
Neuralgia of the occipital nerve is another recognized problem, though until recently the surgical decompression of the nerve was not recognized as a treatment. This is kind of crazy if you think about it, considering the frequency that carpal tunnel decompression is performed every day in operating rooms all over the world. The association of median sensory nerve decompression with the relief of carpal tunnel syndrome seems straightforward, but until recently nobody seemed to consider that headaches arose from similar situations with sensory nerves to the head that could be similarly treated…
we now know that irritation or neuralgia of various nerves, the GON being a major player here, causes various headache symptoms that can be called many differ- ent diagnoses depending on how the pain is experi- enced by the patient. Because the diagnosis a patient receives is most often related to the symptoms that they experience instead of the signs that the physi- cian can detect, the variability in diagnosis does not often relate to the root cause of the headache experi- enced. The root cause of so many of these headaches is actually very similar in nature to carpal tunnel syn- drome—an irritation of a peripheral nerve outside of the brain, and one we can easily get to and often fix.
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Dr. Adam Lowenstein’s “Headache Surgery: Understanding a Path Forward” is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of headache and migraine treatment. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in nerve decompression surgery, Dr. Lowenstein brings unparalleled expertise and compassion to his work, offering hope to those who have long suffered from chronic pain.
In this comprehensive guide, Dr. Lowenstein delves into the anatomical and physiological underpinnings of headaches, providing readers with a clear understanding of their conditions. He meticulously outlines various surgical options available for headache relief, particularly focusing on nerve decompression techniques that have transformed the lives of many patients. The book also addresses the potential risks and benefits associated with these procedures, empowering readers to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
The real-life testimonials included in the book are particularly compelling. For instance, a patient who endured years of debilitating pain, found significant improvement after undergoing surgeries with Dr. Lowenstein. Her story exemplifies the resilience and hope that these surgical interventions can offer, even in the most challenging cases.
Dr. Lowenstein’s dedication to his patients is evident throughout the book. His compassionate approach, combined with his surgical expertise, has led to remarkable success rates. He states, “With a 93% success rate, we love making people better. Seeing patients regain their quality of life after years of debilitating pain is incredibly rewarding.”
“Headache Surgery: Understanding a Path Forward” is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking alternative solutions to chronic headaches and migraines. Dr. Lowenstein’s authoritative yet approachable writing style ensures that complex medical information is accessible to all readers. This book not only educates but also inspires hope, offering a tangible path forward for those seeking relief from chronic pain.
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Fantastic and informative book as someone who suffers from migraines I found this book to be a great resource
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Dr. Lowenstein’s explanations of headaches and headache surgery is succinct and easy to understand. This book clearly explains how headache surgery can offer life changing relief from pain. The patient success stories are very meaningful and express such gratitude for the surgery and Dr. Lowenstein. A worthwhile read for anyone who struggles with headaches, or who has a loved one that does.
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A great explanation of headache causes, and I love the success stories of how migraine surgery helped Dr. Lowenstein’s patients.
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This book really serves two purposes for me
1) demystifying decompression (headache) surgery and going into explicit detail how the surgery is done. The photos were extremely helpful. I like that it’s approachable and straightforward.
2) Normalizing what is considered a very rare disease process, but I suspect is more common than we are led to believe. It helped me and my husband to have less resentment towards my other providers who never led us down the path towards the surgery.
Overall it demystified a scary surgery and normalized my lived experience. Highly recommend.
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Headache Surgery: Understanding a Path Forward” by Dr. Adam Lowenstein is a groundbreaking book that provides an in-depth look into the causes of chronic headaches and the role of surgery in providing lasting relief. As someone who has explored various treatment options for migraines and tension headaches, I found this book to be an incredibly well-researched and compassionate guide that sheds light on an often-misunderstood field of medicine.
Dr. Lowenstein’s approach is refreshingly clear and informative. Instead of overwhelming readers with medical jargon, he presents the science behind headache surgery in an accessible way. His extensive experience as a migraine surgeon, combined with real patient stories, makes this book not just informative but also deeply personal and inspiring.
For those who have suffered from migraines and chronic headaches for years, this book provides something that is often lacking in the medical field: hope. Dr. Lowenstein’s work shows that there is a legitimate surgical option for relief that isn’t widely discussed. His dedication to patient education and advocacy is evident throughout the book, making it an invaluable resource for anyone considering headache surgery.
If you or a loved one are struggling with debilitating migraines and have not found relief through medication or other treatments, I highly recommend this book. Dr. Lowenstein does an incredible job of explaining headache surgery in a way that is easy to understand while also providing practical guidance on what to expect. Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or seriously considering surgery, Headache Surgery: Understanding a Path Forward is a must-read.
Highly recommend for chronic headache sufferers, medical professionals, and anyone interested in learning about breakthrough migraine treatments.