What non-medication therapies or techniques have been helpful in treating adolescent headache sufferers?
Many children respond well to non-medication treatment approaches. Treatment generally includes biofeedback and relaxation therapy, life-style adjustments including a migraine diet, maintaining a regular routine and schedule, exercising, and avoiding known headache triggers. The following suggestions have been found to be helpful: • Regular time for waking and going to bed. Anyone who has had teenagers will know how difficult this can be. Yet is seems clear that for adults as well as kids a regular waking and sleeping schedule is important. • Regular meals. Adolescents tend to skip meals or have irregular eating patterns. This can provoke headache. Maintaining “sameness” is important. • Regular exercise. This does not necessarily mean competitive sports, which may be excellent exercise, but another source of stress. Adolescents should exercise for fun and fitness which can help reduce stress and associated headaches. • Cognitive behavioral techniques can help the adolescent use his or
