Headache Center

Dr. Dale Menard is the only Neurologist in the area to be certified in Headache medicine. He has also been named a Headache Diplomat by the Board of Directors of the American Headache Society.

To achieve Diplomat status, Dr. Menard had to earn a minimum of 50 hours of Continuing Medical Education specifically related to headache medicine over a 60 month period and documentation of a 36-month period of time in which he spent a minimum of 25% of his time in the practice of headache medicine. According to the American Headache Society only 500 physicians nationwide have received Diplomat status.

The providers at the Headache Center of Neurology Associates are dedicated to helping patients return to their normal lives. Pain from debilitating headaches can affect a person’s physical and emotional well-being, often making it challenging to work, maintain personal relationships, and simply enjoy each day.

Patient education is a key component to successful headache treatment. Our providers partner with patients to identify and recognize headache triggers and adhere to recommended therapies and changes in lifestyle.

Unfortunately, too many patients with headache pain go undiagnosed and untreated. At Neurology Associates, our headache specialists provide compassionate & effective treatment for the following headache conditions:

• Migraine headaches
• Analgesic Rebound headaches
• Sinus headaches
• Tension headaches
• Chronic daily headaches
• Cluster headaches
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Many other conditions causing head pain and discomfort

Headache treatment options, like pain levels, vary. Our center focuses on and offers the following types of therapies and treatments:

• Preventive and acute medical therapies
• Chronic headache management
• Trigger point injections
• Botox treatment for headache, neck pain, muscle spasms, etc.

Call 911 if a patient is experiencing the following medical emergency headaches:

• Brain Hemorrhage/Aneurysm: Pain generated from a new headache that is characteristically
  described as “explosive” (a 10 on a pain scale of 1-10)
• Meningitis/Encephalitis/Brain Abscess: Headache with fever, weakness of one side or
  disturbance of speech
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Headache followed by rash (can be fatal if not treated)
• Tumor: Dull headache with a neurological issue like dizziness or weakness
• Arteritis: New headache at the temples in a patient over 55 years old (Can cause blindness
  if not treated)
• Toxic: Dull headache accompanied by confusion due to poisoning like Carbon Monoxide
• Unbearable Chronic Headache: Pain 24/7 causing emotional instability and risk of suicide

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and require treatment for your headaches, please contact Neurology Associates today to schedule an appointment at 828-485-2476. We are conveniently located in Hickory, Taylorsville, Denver and Lincolnton, Western North Carolina, just a short drive from Asheville, Statesville and Morganton.