- A comprehensive physical and neurological exams with personal medical history. Full examinations of head, face and neck. Advanced radiological imaging tests to rule out causes of headache include CT scan (computerized tomography) and MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
- Evaluation of headache severity and its impact on quality of life by using international standards.
- A wide range of acute headache treatments include oral medications and injections, both mono-therapy and combined therapy that provide effective treatment outcomes with few side effects and reduced risks of recurrence.
- Interventional pain management to alleviate pain and reduce chances of recurrence such as occipital nerve block and trigeminal nerve block which are injections of a steroid or other medication around the occipital or trigeminal nerves. This may in turn reduce pain and other nerve-related symptoms. Other pain management approaches are botulinum toxin injection and trigger point injection.
- Preventive medication to reduce pain severity and frequency.
- Medical counseling with nurses and pharmacists specialized in headache care. Recommendations include medication administration and lifestyle modification to avoid trigger factors.
- Close monitoring of headache severity, its progression and treatment response by using headache diary approach.
- In case that causes of headache are derived from several factors, multidisciplinary team is essential in order to provide a holistic headache care. To achieve the best possible outcomes, related subspecialties may include rehabilitation specialists, acupuncture specialists, otolaryngologists (Ear-Nose-Throat doctors), psychiatrists, psychologists and dentists.
- Advancements in neurological treatment such as neurostimulation, the purposeful modulation of the nervous system’s activity using invasive e.g. microelectrodes or non-invasive means e.g. transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial electric stimulation (tES) such as Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS). Neurostimulation provides pain relief by disrupting the pain signals traveling between the spinal cord and the brain. It is considered as an effective approach with fewer side effects. The procedure can be performed as outpatient service, hospitalization is not necessary.
- Biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation are widely accepted non-drug technique for headache prevention and treatment. By using an instrument that monitor body responses such as heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, muscle contraction and relaxation as well as sweat gland functions during certain circumstances e.g. being stressed, having pain and relaxation. Theses parameters sent by special instrument will be used to modify body’s reaction in order to relieve pain. As a result from biofeedback, reduction in headache frequency and severity can be obtained with less needs of medication. During the treatment by biofeedback approach, the special instrument will be installed non-invasively. Biofeedback and relaxation techniques are effective in preventing headaches, rather than treating a headache in progress.