Headache and Facial Pain Clinic

Headache and facial pain are among the most common reasons for consulting a neurologist.
At the same time, this is one of the areas where diagnostic mistakes occur most frequently. Different conditions may cause very similar symptoms, and “trial-and-error” treatment often continues for years without clear results.

The Headache and Facial Pain Clinic focuses on accurate diagnosis of complex pain syndromes, individualized treatment planning, and—when needed—assessment of whether a more advanced approach should be considered, including consultation with functional neurosurgery.

Conditions We Treat

Migraine and Chronic Headache Disorders

Migraine is not simply a “strong headache.”
It is a neurological condition that may be associated with nausea, sensitivity to light, impaired concentration, and significant reduction in quality of life.

At the clinic, we focus on:

• differentiating between types of headache
• selecting preventive and symptomatic treatment
• identifying factors that contribute to pain chronification

Neuropathic Pain of the Cranial Nerves

These are pain syndromes caused by irritation or dysfunction of cranial nerves.
Patients often describe the pain as burning, stabbing, electric, or sharp, and it usually responds poorly to standard painkillers.

The physician’s task is to determine:

• which nerve is involved
• whether the pain is primary or secondary
• whether the condition can be stabilized with medical treatment

Trigeminal Neuralgia

One of the most severe pain conditions in neurology.
It is characterized by sudden, short-lasting, but extremely intense facial pain.

Within the clinic, we focus on:

• confirming the diagnosis
• selecting appropriate medical therapy
• monitoring treatment effectiveness over time

If the response to treatment is insufficient, referral for consultation with functional neurosurgery may be discussed.

Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia

A rare but serious condition causing pain in the throat, base of the tongue, ear, or during swallowing or speaking.

Because of its rarity, patients often spend years consulting different specialists.
Precise diagnosis is particularly important in these cases.

Hemifacial Spasm

Involuntary contractions of muscles on one side of the face, which may gradually become persistent.

Although not always painful, this condition can cause significant psychological and social distress.

How the Clinic Is Connected to Functional Neurosurgery

Most patients seen in the clinic do not require surgical treatment.
The primary focus is always on neurological diagnosis and medical management.

However, in selected cases—such as:

• treatment-resistant trigeminal neuralgia
• hemifacial spasm
• certain forms of neuropathic facial pain

a consultation with functional neurosurgery may be appropriate.

This does not mean immediate referral for surgery.
Rather, it involves:

• evaluating available options
• weighing potential benefits and risks
• joint decision-making by neurologists and neurosurgeons

This approach is especially important for patients with a long and complex disease history.

Who This Clinic Is For

• patients with long-standing headache or facial pain that has not responded well to treatment
• patients who have already tried multiple therapies without clear results
• Russian-speaking patients who value clear explanations and calm, structured communication
• international patients considering consultation and treatment options in Israel

Summary

Headache and facial pain are not always “the same problem.”
Similar symptoms may have very different underlying causes, and accurate diagnosis determines the correct path forward.

The Headache and Facial Pain Clinic offers a systematic and thoughtful approach—from initial neurological evaluation to multidisciplinary discussion with functional neurosurgery when truly necessary.

Consultation and Appointments

📞 Phone: +972-73-374-6844
📧 Email: [email protected]
💬 WhatsApp: +972-52-337-3108

Frequently Asked Questions

 1. Why can headache or facial pain last for years despite treatment?

Because the term “pain” often hides different mechanisms.
Treating migraine as a simple headache or neuralgia as inflammation usually leads to poor results. The issue is often not the absence of treatment, but an incorrect or incomplete diagnosis.

 2. How can I tell if my pain is neurological rather than “ordinary”?

Warning signs include:

• sharp, stabbing, or burning pain
• pain triggered by touch, chewing, or speaking
• one-sided facial pain
• lack of response to standard painkillers

Such symptoms require neurological evaluation rather than symptomatic treatment alone.

 3. Is surgery always needed for neuralgia?

No. And this is an important point.
In most cases, treatment begins—and often continues successfully—with medication. Surgical options are considered only when:

• the diagnosis is confirmed
• treatment has been appropriate
• pain remains severe and disabling

Even then, the first step is consultation, not surgery.

 4. How is migraine different from other headaches?

Migraine is a distinct neurological disorder, not just severe pain.
It is often associated with nausea, light sensitivity, impaired concentration, and worsening with physical activity. Treatment strategies differ significantly, which makes accurate diagnosis essential.

 5. What is neuropathic facial pain, in simple terms?

It is pain caused by abnormal nerve function rather than tissue injury or inflammation.
This is why standard painkillers often fail. Treatment is directed at the nervous system itself.

 6. When is functional neurosurgery considered?

Functional neurosurgery may be discussed in cases of:

• persistent trigeminal neuralgia
• hemifacial spasm
• selected forms of neuropathic facial pain

It is not a first-line solution, but part of an extended approach when neurological treatment is insufficient.

 7. Can it be determined in advance whether surgery will help?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
That is why an in-person consultation is essential. Evaluation includes pain characteristics, MRI findings, response to treatment, and overall condition.
In many cases, concluding that surgery is not needed is also a correct outcome.

 8. Why is a combined neurology–neurosurgery approach important?

Because many pain syndromes lie at the border between specialties.
When specialists work separately, patients often get “stuck.”
Joint assessment helps avoid unnecessary interventions and identify effective solutions.

 9. If I live outside Israel, does consultation still make sense?

Yes—especially if pain has lasted a long time, the diagnosis remains unclear, or treatment has not been effective. Many patients start with a consultation or second opinion to understand real options.

 10. Where should I start if pain has already affected my life for a long time?

With a calm, structured consultation.
Not by searching for a “miracle cure,” but by understanding the cause of pain. Sometimes, that alone changes the entire treatment path.