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CONDITIONS
HEADACHES
Headaches are classified into three categories, primary, secondary, and other which can include cranial neuralgia and facial pain. Primary headaches include migraine and tension headaches. The pain of headaches can be mild to very severe in intensity and can impact the quality of daily life. Many patients are debilitated by migraine headaches.
Tension headaches are the most common type of primary headache. They are often times caused by stress, poor cervical posture and contraction of the muscles overlying the skull. Location sites of tension headaches include the base of the skull where the cervical muscles of the neck inserts, the temple where muscles of the jaw are located, and the forehead. Patients describe the pain as a band like tightness or pressure. It is bilateral often feels like it encircles the head. Treatment of tension headaches involves anti-inflammatory medications, therapy reducing the strain and pain on the neck musculature. If patients fail conservative therapy they may benefit from trigger point injection therapy to help directly stop the muscle spasms of the head and neck.
Migraines are more severe form of headache that has symptoms associated with nausea, photophobia, and severe pain usually unilateral. Women are affected more often than men. Migraines can be managed with migraine medications, but those who fail to respond will benefit from botox therapy. Dr. Desai has worked with botulinum toxin injection therapy for treatment of migraine headache patients for over 5 years in practice.
Occipital headaches are another form of neuralgia with related pain in the posterior aspect of the skull in the distribution of the occipital nerve. Patients often describe the pain as sharp, stabbing, burning pain in the posterior skull. The pain is exacerbated with lying on the back or placing pressure against the nerve. Treatment for occipital neuralgia or headaches is steroid injection therapy. The steroid injections can quickly calm the nerve pain and alleviate these forms of headaches/neuralgia.
Our pain management doctors provide world-class, utmost professional care and a dynamic, team-oriented approach to offer relief for chronic pain.
Dr. Jignyasa Desai has devoted her life to health care and the improvement of pain conditions.
Mission statement:
iHeal Pain Center is founded by Dr. Jignyasa Desai with a dedication to eliminate pain and optimize health. Through traditional and innovative approaches, the center focuses upon healing of sports injuries and spinal disorders in all patients ranging from the athletic to the elderly. Dr. Desai methodology involves a holistic approach encompassing therapy, nutrition, and non-surgical techniques with the ultimate goal of improving daily function and lifestyle.
Training
College: East Tennessee State University B.S. Biology with honors
Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Internship: Aria Health System via Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation- Stonybrook University
Fellowship training: Pain Medicine- Temple University (ACGME accredited training program)
Board Certifications:
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR)
• Pain Medicine (ABA)
Society Memberships:
American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR)
American Society of Interventional Pain (ASIP)
Society of Interventional Pain (SIS)
American Society of Physicians of India (APPI)
American Society of Osteopathic Physicians (AOA)
State Licenses:
New York and New Jersey
Publications
• Frankenberger V, Desai J. Prosthetic Management of Residual Limb Ulcerations with a Vacuum Assisted Socket Suspension: American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Volume 87 (3), Page S49, March 2008
• Tang N, Desai J, Stickevers S, Awan G. Hip, Buttock, and low back pain associated with ischiogluteal bursitis a case report: American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Volume 88, (3) Page S12, March 2009.
• Desai J, Stickevers S. Treatment of post amputation focal dystonia with Botulinum Toxin A: American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Volume 88, No 3. Page S20, March 2009.
• Desai J, Lai Y. Methylmethacrylate (MMP) hypersensitivity reactions post orthopedic hardware implantation: A case report: American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Oct 22, 2009.
• Desai, J, Fahmy, M. Herpes Zoster associated with Recurrent Bell’s Palsy: A Case Report: American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: 89(4): S79, April 2010.
• Desai, J, Semel, J. Assessing Fall Data in Rehabilitation Hospitals Leading to Prevention Strategies. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: 89(4): S83, April 2010.
• Kohane, Dan, Desai, J. Case Report: Brachial Amyotrophic Diplegia (BAD). 2011 (AAP) Association of Academic Physiatrists. Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, April 12-16, 2011.
• Desai J, Falco F. A case study: Peripheral Nerve Stimulator (PNS) in treatment of intractable migraines. To be submitted for publication 2011
• Vesga R, Falco F, Husain A, Desai J. Chapter 12: Abdominal Pain and Treatment Options. In: Kaye A, editor. Understanding Pain: Taking Control of Your Life. Praeger/ABC-CLIO Press; 2011.
• Falco F, Desai J. Stimulation produced analgesia. In: Manchikanti L, Christo P, Trescot A, Falco F (eds.). Comprehensive Pain Medicine and Interventional Pain Management Board Review. Paducah, KY: ASIPP Publishing; 2011.
• Zhu Z, Falco F, Desai J. Intrathecal drug delivery. In: Manchikanti L, Christo P, Trescot A, Falco F (eds.). Comprehensive Pain Medicine and Interventional Pain Management Board Review. Paducah, KY: ASIPP Publishing; 2011.
• Onyewu C, Desai J, Falco F. EEG, MEG. In: Manchikanti L, Christo P, Trescot A, Falco F (eds.). Comprehensive Pain Medicine and Interventional Pain Management Board Review. Paducah, KY: ASIPP Publishing; 2011.•Desai, J, Sakheim, K. Anti-Depressants in Pain Management. Pain Management Clinical Pocket Guide. Currently in Publishing for spring of 2013.