Treatment overview

The proper treatment for your headaches will depend on several factors, including the type, frequency, and cause of your headaches. Not all headaches require medical attention. Treatment may include education, counseling, stress management, biofeedback, medications, and physical therapy education. The treatment prescribed for you will be tailored to meet your specific needs.

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Headache education includes identifying and recording what triggers your headache, such as lack of sleep, eating certain foods or additives, caffeine, or stress. Your healthcare provider may give you a headache diary to record the characteristics of your headaches and help you manage headache triggers. Bring the diary with you to all of your doctor appointments; this information will help your healthcare providers correctly treat your headaches.

In addition to medical treatment, your doctor may recommend techniques for managing your headaches at home. Read more about these in the section on managing headaches.

When your doctor starts a treatment program, keep track of the results and how the treatment program is working. Keep your scheduled follow-up appointments so your doctor can monitor your progress and make changes in the treatment program as needed.

This section includes information on treatments for specific kinds of headaches:

• Tension headaches
• Migraines
• Transformed migraines
• Exertional headaches
• Cluster headaches
• Sinus headaches

In addition, you can find information here on treatments that may be used for many kinds of headaches:

• Medications
• Complementary treatments
• Physical therapy
• Treating rebound headaches