Current Environment:

  • Preventive medication: We may prescribe medication to be taken daily (whether headache is present or not) with the goal of preventing headaches.
  • Rescue medication: We may prescribe medication to be taken at the first sign of a headache. They will explain how often these medications can be used.
  • Supplements: Depending on your child’s current diet, sleep habits, and other potential needs, we may recommend vitamins and supplements known to help prevent and treat headaches.
  • Trigger-point injections: This is an outpatient procedure in which a medication, usually a local anesthetic, is injected into painful muscles to provide temporary relief in areas that may be adding to headache pain.
  • Nerve blockades: This is an outpatient procedure in which an anesthetic medication is injected near a nerve to provide temporary relief from headaches. Sometimes, the injection may also include steroid medication to reduce inflammation.
  • Botox injections: This is an outpatient procedure for children with chronic migraine headaches in which Botox is injected in a series into identified areas of the head and neck to provide temporary relief from headaches.
  • Medication infusions: This is an outpatient procedure that takes place in our intervention suite, in which a child receives pain medication (e.g., Toradol, Depakote, lidocaine, or DHE) intravenously over the course of several hours.
  • Devices: We may recommend a safe, wearable device (such as an armband) that can help prevent and manage headaches by activating nerves that carry pain signals to the brain, triggering its pain management response. Some devices can be paired with apps on your phone and be used with relaxation activities.
  • Physical and occupational therapy: We may refer your child to physical therapy, occupational therapy, or both. This can help them rebuild their strength and endurance for physical and cognitive activities, and learn stretches and exercises that can reduce tension and improve overall well-being.
  • Acupuncture: We may recommend acupuncture (or acupressure) as part of your child’s treatment plan. Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that dates back more than 2,000 years. It's performed by professionally trained clinicians who insert tiny, hair-thin needles through the skin into underlying tissues at strategic points to ease pain.
  • Relaxation and mindfulness techniques: We may recommend that your child learn and practice daily relaxation or mindfulness techniques as part of their treatment plan. Strategies that slow the heart rate and breathing rate can calm the nervous system and ease pain.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): We may recommend that your child begin working with a therapist as part of their pain management plan, as well as to address stress, anxiety, or mood changes. Research suggests that CBT, which looks at the connections between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, is most effective for pain management.
  • Biofeedback: We may recommend biofeedback, which is typically done in collaboration with a behavioral provider, to strengthen the mind-body connection and to see evidence that relaxation techniques are working.