If you are one of the unfortunate people who suffers from common and often debilitating headache conditions then a specialised headache clinic may be the place for you. Complaints such as migraine, other forms of episodic headache such as cluster headaches, chronic daily headache may respond to different treatments, both for attacks and for symptom preventions.

Often a General Practitioner will not have the specialism needed for difficult cases. If this is the case then it is possible to ask for a referral to a specialist clinic where the doctor has more knowledge of your condition. In the UK you will have the choice of a private, paid for, consultation or wait for a NHS treatment. In other counties it will depend upon your local health service or the type of cover that you have.

At the clinic a specialist neurologist will strive to give you insight into your condition and recommend ways to prevent your condition recurring. Where this is possible the specialists knowledge should lead to treatments that bring about much needed relief.

A headache clinic will strive to establish a diagnosis. This will be done on a one to one basis by an investigation to establish the type and cause of your problem. This will then lead onto a treatment or prevention programme to suit your individual needs.

What to expect.

Your first appointment will involve being interviewed and examined by a Consultant Neurologist. The consultant will strive to reassure you by initially removing any concerns about major risks. Then a search for suitable treatments for attacks will be carried out followed by identifying preventative measures.

Ongoing treatment will be tailored to your needs and could involve

• general and neurological examination,

• examination of the neck and shoulders, often a place for retaining tension

• scans of spine and head

• recognition and reduction of triggers

• removing the need for daily painkillers for chronic daily headache

• the use of well-tested preventative medication.

Not only will you be given advice about pain relief with drug therapy you will also be given guidance upon alternative therapies. Acupuncture, physiotherapy, cranial massage or cranial osteopathy may also be advised.

In most cases a Consultant Neurologist will manage your care and refer you to other specialists or therapists. The consultant will also feedback to your personal general practitioner.

If you suffer from chronic forms of headaches then seeking help from a specialist through your own doctor should lead to help a dedicated headache clinic. Good luck with your treatment.

Please note information on this web site is provided for your information. Please consult your physician before making any changes to your treatment. Seek medical advice for anything that you do not understand. Remember much of this information is not provided by medical practitioners and should be treated as such. No liability can be accepted by the publishers for the use of information on this site.