Lifestyle issues and specific trigger management can contribute considerably to successful migraine control. Patient education regarding these factors may reduce the need for expensive medications and reduce indirect costs related to disability. Training in relaxation and other stress management techniques should be considered. Training in other skills like pacing activities to help patients manage their schedules and stress levels well, and how to take acute medications appropriately are also important.
Sources:
Gaul C, et al. Team players against headache: multidisciplinary treatment of primary headaches and medication overuse headache. J Headache Pain. 2011 Oct;12(5):511-9. PMID: 21779789.
Holroyd KA, et al. Effect of preventive (beta blocker) treatment, behavioural migraine management, or their combination on outcomes of optimised acute treatment in frequent migraine: randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2010 Sep 29;341:c4871. PMID: 20880898.
Penzien DB, et al. Well-Established and Empirically Supported Behavioral Treatments for Migraine. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2015 Jul;19(7):34. PMID: 26065542.
Pringsheim T, et al. Canadian Headache Society guideline for migraine prophylaxis. Can J Neurol Sci. 2012 Mar;39(2 Suppl 2):S1-59. PMID: 22683887.
Sauro KM, et al. Multidisciplinary treatment for headache in the Canadian healthcare setting. Can J Neurol Sci. 2008 Mar;35(1):46-56. PMID: 18380277.
Sauro KM, et al. The stress and migraine interaction. Headache. 2009 Oct;49(9):1378-86. PMID: 19619238.
Related Resources:
Patient Pamphlet: Treating Migraine Headaches: Some drugs should rarely be used