The cord compression in the conclusion is probably why you are having headaches. There are sections within this site that would give you a list of questions to ask your doctor. IF you can't find them , let me know. I kept a journal of symptoms and what I took or did to try and help alleviate them. I also put my questions and answers in the journal along with a copy of the MRI report and the laymens translations. This way I had all that I needed in one place and did not have to rely on my memory.
I do not know anything about the back as I only have neck issues. I had a 2 level ACDF 12/9/2010.

Good luck. Keep us posted

CONCLUSION: Hypertrophie new bone around the C5-6 and C6-7 end plates with left sided cord compression and potential for compression of the C6 and C7 nerve roots.