Why is The Headache Clinic different from the other clinics I’ve visited?

The Headache Clinic offers every patient a comprehensive diagnosis by a team of specialists, who are trained in different specialities. This will enable them to conduct extensive tests and give the patient a Complete Diagnosis^TM that encompasses a wide range of medical disciplines. Consequently, the patient can embark on a co-ordinated treatment plan, rather than following the treatment programmes of various individual doctors.

Why have other doctors been unable to find the cause of my headaches?

Doctors specialise in a specific medical discipline and consequently their diagnosis is informed by and limited to their training in this discipline. A variety of factors can contribute to headaches, each falling into a separate discipline. Thus, if your headache is due to factors outside of a doctor’s area of expertise, he or she is not fully equipped to diagnose the cause of the problem. It is difficult for an individual doctor or specialist to successfully diagnose and treat a headache, let alone cure it permanently.

By following a strict diet, I have managed to eliminate most of the foods that caused my headaches, so why do I still get them?

Foods are usually triggers and not the underlying causes of headaches. By focusing on the headache triggers, the cause of the problem is not identified and treated. A complete diagnosis is necessary to separate the triggers from the causes, so that treatment can focus on the root of the problem.

Brain scans found that nothing was wrong, so why am I still getting headaches?

These scans focus on the brain area and other mechanisms inside the skull, and it has been proven that headaches are generally caused by structures outside of the skull. Consequently, most people who suffer from headaches do not require brain scans to diagnose and treat the cause of their headaches. However, a brain scan must be undertaken if the neurological examination indicates that it is necessary.

I was involved in an accident 14 years ago. Could that be the cause of my headaches?

One cannot rule out the possible link between the accident and the headaches, especially if they started after the accident or increased in intensity. A whiplash injury may cause high levels of neck muscle tension, which can result in tension headaches or make existing headaches worse. A full assessment is done on each patient so that an accurate diagnosis can be determined.

I have tried so many different kinds of medication for my headaches, but they aren’t helping. In fact, my headaches are getting worse. Is there anything else I can try?

Medication is not a long-term solution to headaches as it does not address the root of the problem. In fact, medication overuse can actually make headaches worse - a condition called Medication Overuse Headache (MOH). After a Complete Diagnosis^TM, the cause of your headache can be identified. There are various non-drug treatment options, and in most cases medication can be dispensed.


For more information, please call  +27 11 484 0933, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .