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Easing the Strain
The Role of Psychologists in Headache Pain Management
Headache disorders are among the most prevalent and disabling conditions worldwide and can be a source of concern for both individuals and their families, as they often interfere with performance at school/work, social functioning, mood, and quality of life. Generally, it is understood that these conditions result from a complex interplay of biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Not only can poor sleep, improper hydration/nutrition, or exposure to triggers exacerbate pain, so can stress, anxiety, fear, perfectionism or frustration. Given these psychological factors, behavioral health specialists offer a valuable perspective in headache treatment, drawing on their expertise in the mind-body connection to help individuals better understand, manage, and reduce headache-related distress.
Goals of Treatment
At PPA, our behavioral health team provides the highest-quality, comprehensive treatment for headache pain management.
Behavioral health specialists work with individuals to identify triggers and pain patterns associated with headaches. For example, someone with tension-type headaches may discover that excessive/chronic stress and muscle tension play a significant role in their pain. Through specialized therapeutic interventions (such as biofeedback), our clinicians can help individuals increase awareness and intentional regulation of their physiology (including muscle tension, heart/breath rate, etc.), thus reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches.
Dealing with headaches can be tough on both one’s body and mind. The constant pain can make one feel anxious and upset with themselves and the people around them. Even managing the medications and lifestyle changes can feel burdensome and overwhelming. Behavioral health specialists work with individuals experiencing chronic headaches/pain to develop a healthy mind-body relationship, also teaching such individuals skills to better manage anxiety and stress (which can worsen headaches) and to think/act in more constructive/helpful ways in relation to their pain.
Persistent headaches can significantly diminish one's quality of life, leading to missed school or work, disruptions in daily routines, and social isolation. Behavioral health specialists play a crucial role in helping individuals regain control over their well-being by addressing not only the intensity and frequency of pain but also managing associated changes in sleep, energy/fatigue, appetite, concentration, physical activity, and even sexual functioning. Behavioral health specialists aim to support individuals reintegrating into life and rediscovering fulfillment in their roles and relationships.
Treatments We Offer
Our Behavioral Heath Clinic offers an array of specialized psychological services for children, adolescents, and adults. Following a comprehensive evaluation, our clinicians utilize a tailored approach in selecting a treatment that takes into consideration the individual’s unique presentation, needs, and strengths. All treatments offered are evidence-based and goals for treatment are collaboratively developed.
Treatments include, but are not limited to, Biofeedback, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Pain Reprocessing Therapy. Across all these treatments, clinicians will work closely with individuals to build an understanding of the pain processes and how this pathophysiology can be leveraged to eliminate or reduce pain.
Biofeedback is a therapeutic approach often used for chronic headaches, such as migraines and tension headaches. It involves the use of electronic monitoring equipment to help individuals gain awareness and control over physiological processes (such as muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure) that can contribute to headaches. By providing real-time feedback on these bodily functions, biofeedback can empower individuals to harness mind-body connections, offering a holistic approach to managing chronic headaches. Learn More
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another evidence-based therapeutic approach commonly used to address chronic pain conditions. It focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that can exacerbate pain perception and distress. Through techniques such as cognitive restructuring and pain coping strategies, CBT aims to help individuals reduce pain episodes and improve their quality of life.
Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)can assist individuals in rewiring the neural pathways associated with pain, disrupting the cycle of chronic pain and restoring a sense of meaning and fulfillment in their lives. Pain often arises as a learned response, with our brains associating physical sensations with threats, leading to the experience of fear and pain. To alleviate this, it becomes essential to "unlearn" these associations and connections, enabling us to cease feeling pain when there is no genuine threat or injury present. This unlearning process is facilitated through PRT. Learn More
Other Conditions that We Treat
Specialized clinicians at our Behavior Health Clinic offer evidence-based treatment for a variety of acute and chronic medical conditions above and beyond headaches and migraines.
Please refer to our Behavior Health Clinic page for more information on our services, or call us today to schedule a consultation.
