Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find patient forms?

Our forms are located online at:

Please note that once you book an appointment, you will be sent an email. The email will give you an access code that will enable you to fill out your forms online. So that your provider has a chance to review your medical history before your first appointment, please fill out the medical history at least 24 hours before an appointment when possible.

All of our patient forms are available on our website at this link: migraine-calender.html

How did Headache Response Center start?

Headache Response started provide patients with the most up-to-date treatment options for their migraines. In recent years, new developments have offered treatment solutions that simply did not exist many years ago yet most headache practitioners are still using the old paradigm of treatment. Headache Response Center was started to offer patients access to new treatments that do not rely on the use of daily medication for headache management.

How are you different from other headache treatment clinics?

Headache Response Center is different because our goal is to eliminate the need for our patients to use daily medications to manage their migraines. For many patients, the daily medication approach fails or is unacceptable.From the HR60 SPG block to physical therapy and surgical intervention, we use an integrated approach towards headache pain management that can provide effective, lasting relief.

Is it true that a plastic surgeon founded these clinics?

Yes, a craniofacial surgeon. Craniofacial surgery is sub-specialty in plastic surgery focused on the bone, muscle, and nerve structures of the skull and face. Many of the advances in the treatment of headaches have emerged recently through the field of plastic surgery. About 12 years ago, plastic surgeons began to observe that patients who had Botox injections for cosmetic purposes and patients who underwent brow lift surgery were reporting a significant reduction of their migraine headaches.These observations led to the recent advances in the field of headache treatment.

Where are you located?

The Headache Response Center has two locations in the Chicago area. We have locations in Highland Park and Downtown Chicago on Michigan Avenue. We are actively working on expanding the Center to offer a Headache Response Center even closer to you.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes. We accept insurance for our treatments and are in network for most major insurance plans.

What are your hours?

We operate during normal business hours- Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. We have Saturday appointments two weekends a month and offer evening appointments in our Highland Park location.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Bring any diagnostic testing you have had in the last year including any MRIs, blood tests, or CAT scans. Bring an accurate and complete list of any medications, supplements, or herbs that you have been taking. If possible, bring all medications with you to your appointment.

Please note that once you book an appointment, you will be sent an email. The email will give you an access code that will enable you to fill out your medical forms online. In order to give your provider an opportunity to review your medical history before your first appointment, please fill out the medical history at least 24 hours before your scheduled visit.

HR60 SPG BLOCK QUESTIONS

What is HR60 SPG Block?

The HR60 SPG Block is a block where anesthetic is delivered into the nasal passage way directly to the sphenoplatine ganglion. Most patients experience immediate pain relief when the block occurs. The block is similar to a nasal spray and is painless and completed in less than 30 seconds.

How does the HR60 SPG Block Work?

It is believe that the block reduces the release of norepinepherine which is a chemical that activates pain nerves.

Why do you do the blocks in a series?

The goal of the series is to reduce headaches through desensitization of sphenopalatine ganglion.

Can I drive after the HR60 blocks?

Yes. The block has no affect on mental status unlike many other forms of traditional pharmacological medications for migraines.

BOTOX FOR MIGRAINE QUESTIONS

How Does Botox Work To Reduce Or Eliminate Migraine Headaches?

Botox results in temporary weakening of the muscles that compress or impinge on nerves in the areas that may trigger migraines. Your provider will use small injections in low doses into the muscle area that has been identified as the specific migraine trigger zone. This can be in either the frontal, temporal or occipital areas. The Botox will block the release of the chemical that causes these muscles to contract and will allow it to relax, taking the pressure off any irritated nerves. This will raise the migraine patient's threshold for developing another attack as well as make the patient more resistant to triggering factors in the future.

Is Botox Safe For Treating Migraine Headaches?

Botox is FDA approved for the treatment of migraine headaches and is a safe and effective treatment in experienced hands. It has been used for over 25 years and Botox has also been shown to be effective for treatment of migraine headaches, excessive underarm sweating, certain muscular spasm disorder, in addition for cosmetic purposes.

MIGRAINE SURGERY QUESTIONS

What Is Migraine Surgery?

Migraine surgery is a surgery performedfor the ultimate goal of reducing or eliminating migraine headaches. Migraine surgery is an option to explore after failure of traditional migraine medications and medical treatments. The specific surgery that is performed is based on individual's specific trigger sites or migraine zone that is involved: frontal, temporal, occipital or nasal. The actual surgical technique performed is specific to the anatomical migraine zone.

How Do You Determine If I Am A Candidate For Migraine Surgery?

Because Botox temporarily inhibits muscle contraction, usually for about three months, it can be used as a "trial test" to see if a patient's migraine headaches go away or become less intense following a Botox injection. Botox is used as a diagnostic test to determine what trigger point(s) is causing your migraine. It also can determine if you will benefit from a more permanent surgical solution. Botox is used to pinpoint which of exact muscles in the forehead, back of the head or temple areas may be serving as "trigger points" to compress, irritate or entrap nerves that could be causing the migraine. If a Botox treatment is successful in preventing migraines or lessening their severity, then surgery to remove the triggering muscle is likely to achieve the same result, possibly permanently.

What Is The Chance That Migraine Surgery Will Help My Migraine Headaches?

Botox has been shown to be an excellent predictor of migraine surgery success. Trigger sites in the frontal, temporal and occipital areas can be identified by injections of Botox. It has been shown that in these three areas, Botox causes the muscles to weaken for 6 - 12 weeks resulting in over 50% improvement in frequency, severity and duration of migraines in 70-80% of patients undergoing Botox injections. A positive response to Botox predicts a 90% success rate for migraine surgery resulting in complete elimination of the migraines or a significant permanent reduction in migraine frequency, severity and duration.

Where Is Migraine Surgery Performed?

Dr. Weinzweig performs this surgery at multiple hospitals in the Chicagoland area.

Is Migraine Surgery Covered By Insurance?

Many insurance companies now also cover most of the costs of the migraine decompression surgeries. It has been shown that migraine surgery patients experience, on average, a health care savings of over $6,000 a year.