Migraine headaches are one of the most common medical complaints. Unfortunately, they can also be very painful and debilitating. If you experience migraine headaches often, it is important to seek medical attention. Dr. Jay M. Shah at the SamWell Institute for Pain Management in Colonia, New Jersey, is an expert at diagnosing and treating migraine headaches and helping their patients get back to enjoying life.

Dr. Jay M. Shah MD, FAAPMR is a double-board certified and Ivy League trained Interventional Pain Specialist, minimally invasive spine specialist, sports medicine specialist and is the Founder and Medical Director of the SamWell Institute for Pain Management. SamWell Pain has two convenient office locations in Colonia, Livingston & Englewood, New Jersey.

Dr. Shah completed his training in Interventional Pain Medicine at the prestigious ACGME accredited Weill-Cornell Tri-institutional pain fellowship in New York, where he trained at three of the nation's top hospitals: Weill Cornell Medical College/New York Presbyterian Hospital, The Hospital for Special Surgery, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Dr. Shah is widely considered a physician leader within the field of Interventional Pain Medicine. His truly patient-centered, multidisciplinary, and evidence-based approach aims to provide personalized care to each individual patient and their specific needs and goals. 

WATCH: MEET DR. SHAH

A migraine headache is a general term for a wide range of conditions, and as such, there are a vast number of possible causes for migraine headaches. However, in general, migraine headaches are caused by muscles, nerves, and blood vessels in the head and neck, and can lead to a variety of headache syndromes. While it is unknown precisely what creates this reaction, it can be brought about by:

• Spine issues in the neck or cervical regions
• Nerve pain from the head or neck
• Stress, genetics, environmental factors

Accurately diagnosing the cause of migraine headaches is important to be able to create the correct treatment plan. Dr. Shah at the SamWell Institute for Pain Management is experienced in diagnosing and treating many types of painful migraine headaches.

What types of migraine headaches are there?

Just as many different factors can cause a migraine headache, there are also many kinds of migraine. The most common type is a tension migraine. However, the following types of migraine are also quite common:

• Tension headaches
• Cluster headaches
• Occipital neuralgia
• Cervicogenic headaches

Headaches from cervical disc herniations/joint inflammation

Speak with Dr. Shah to learn more about your migraine headache pain.

"I have been impressed and grateful every step of the way with Dr. Shah. He did the proper imaging and other diagnostic tests, to determine the levels and locations of damage. He is extremely careful in every way and has unsurpassed listening skills. It’s an immense relief to find a doctor I trust. He’s also capable of thinking outside the box and coming up with an alternative treatment if one option isn’t tolerated. I cannot recommend him, or anyone, more highly."

K.G.

"I had pain for 10 years.

Dr. Shah was the first to doctor to take the time to correctly identify the sources and treat them without drugs. A few minimally invasive procedures and I feel like a new man. Waking up without pain is a blessing. Dr. Shah is incredible."

NICHOLAS K.

While it may not seem obvious, pain in your head is not the only possible symptom of a migraine headache. This pain can take many forms, including a dull ache, a sharp, stabbing pain, or a feeling of pressure in your cheeks or forehead. You may also experience one or more of the following symptoms, depending on the kind of migraine headache that you have:

• Vertigo
• Sensitivity to light
• Nausea
• Teary eyes
• Memory problems
• Trouble concentrating
• Neck pain radiating up the back of the head to the front of your eyes

Remember, there are many types of migraines and many different possible symptoms. It is important to get your problem correctly diagnosed by a doctor.

If you suffer from migraine headaches, help is available. Call or go online today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shah and learn what treatments are available.

Most Major Insurances Accepted. Motor Vehicle and Worker's Compensation Insurances Accepted. We do NOT participate with Medicare, Medicaid, HMO, or Community plans.  We are not currently accepting Medicare insurances.We are not currently accepting self pay patients at this time.

We work closely with the following insurance plans. Please contact our office if you do not see your insurance provider listed.

• Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield 
• Meritain Health
• Aetna
• United Healthcare
• Cigna

• NYSHIP by United Healthcare
  
• BlueCross
• BlueShield
• UMR

We offer complimentary insurance verifications and explanations of benefits. Our office will contact you shortly after completing the insurance verification form.

Migraine Headache treatments at the SamWell Institute for pain management are customized based on your specific cause of pain and precision diagnostics. For appropriate candidates, all procedures are safely performed under state-of-the-art, x-ray image guidance, as well as ultrasound image guidance. 

Some of the many comprehensive treatment options include:

• Physical therapy

• Cervical/neck radio frequency ablation under image guidance for painful facet joint pain. 

• Spinal cord stimulation for chronic neck, arm & nerve pain
• Minimally, invasive, procedures for neck pain, migraines and neuropathy pain 

Nonsurgical Orthopedic Care

Many of the available nonsurgical orthopedic therapies effectively ease chronic pain in your hips, knees, lower back, neck, and shoulder. These therapies can often provide fast and long-lasting pain relief and can often delay or prevent the need for surgery. Nonsurgical orthopedic therapies may also help reduce your reliance on oral pain-relieving medications that can interfere with your physical activity and ability to work. Some of the therapies can provide long-lasting, effective pain relief by healing the root cause of your pain, so you may not need more invasive treatments or surgery.

Radiofrequency Ablation/ Rhizotomy

Radiofrequency ablation/rhizotomy (also known as radiofrequency neurotomy) is a treatment for persistent, unresponsive neck, back, shoulder, or knee pain. The technology uses radiofrequency energy waves to gently generate heat that targets specific nerves. Precise heating of these nerves to a certain temperature stops them from being able to send pain signals into that particular body region. Dr. Shah inserts specialized radiofrequency needles into your skin at the treatment area to deliver the radiofrequency energy to the right nerves. He uses imaging technology to ensure the needles are in the correct and perfect position, and this procedure is typically performed under a combination of local anesthesia and light sedation.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation is a pain management tool that uses a low-voltage electric current along your spinal cord to modify and block pain signals, alleviating your discomfort. Spinal cord stimulation is an FDA-approved treatment for those suffering from chronic pain in their legs, back, or arms.

Nerve Blocks

Your nerves serve as a communications pathway between your body and brain. They also transmit sensory data from all parts of your body to your brain, and orders from your brain to your muscle tissue. 

When something goes wrong with those transmissions or if they re-wire incorrectly after injury/trauma,, serious pain can result. Nerve blocks are injections that interrupt pain signals, providing immediate pain relief. 

Our team of pain specialists will design a completely customized and personalized plan of care to provide you with long-term functional pain relief.

At the SamWell Institute for Pain Management, we understand the importance of providing a unique and meaningful patient experience within our offices. We are standing by to help you with your lower back pain. Reach out to us today.

1503 St. George Avenue Ste 205 Colonia, NJ 07067

315 E. Northfield Road Suite 1C Livingston, NJ 07039

370 Grand Ave Suite 202 Englewood, NJ 07631

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*The content/images on this website are not a guarantee of individual results. Individual results may vary. The information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only, and does not replace the need for a formal consultation. Individual results may vary.