|
Approach and Philosophy
The broad principles of approach to the headache problem at the Houston Headache Clinic are as follows:
 |
Proper diagnosis as to the specific type of headache and the underlying causes. There are a large number of headache types and the treatment is tailored to the specific headache type.
|
|
|
Provide continuing care for headache sufferers. Headache is a real disease which needs to be treated like high blood pressure or diabetes. A close, trustful patient-physician relationship and patient-clinic relationship is essential for effective management of headaches. All our clinic personnel are committed to achieving that goal. We encourage regular clinic visits and also reporting any or all problems connected with the headaches.
|
|
|
Since the majority of patients have frequent headaches, preventive forms of treatment are stressed rather than treatment of each headache with pain medication. A large number of patients have daily headaches which definitely need daily preventative treatment. Preventive treatment is aimed at reducing the frequency and severity of headaches. A multifaceted program is used:
- The use of new anti-headache medications which are not addictive and without any long-term side effects.
- Biofeedback.
- Nutritional therapy.
- The use of harmful and habit-forming analgesic and narcotic medications on a continuing basis is discouraged.
- Whenever needed, psychological and behavioral therapy is provided by the behavioral psychologist and connected with the clinic.
- Certain psychometric tests, which help in the overall management of the patient, may be done.
|
Back to the Clinic
|
|
