"Challenges in pain management". Part 4. Teaching coping strategies to adolescents with migraine

A treatment program was developed involving cognitive and behavioral strategies for the treatment of migraine headaches with adolescents at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. These techniques include: a headache diary, progressive relaxation techniques, cognitive restructuring, distraction or attention focusing, mental activities, thought stopping, imagery, behavior rehearsal, assertiveness and problem solving. The article details the therapeutic use of these techniques. An analysis of each strategy is presented in three sections: a rationale to the adolescent, recommendations to the therapist and a troubleshooting section.