A Comprehensive Approach to the Assessment and Management of Posttraumatic Headache

Posttraumatic headache (PTH) is the most common symptom seen in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). PTH most commonly resembles migraine or tension-type headache, but it is a unique entity that is challenging to treat. Co-occurring symptoms of mTBI or persistent postconcussive symptoms and comorbidities can increase the risk for persistent PTH. At this time, the pharmacologic management of PTH is largely based on PTH phenotype, but there is no high-quality research to support this practice. This review explores the current evidence for pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment of PTH and proposes a multidisciplinary approach rooted in the principles of mTBI treatment.