Interdisciplinary Headache Management

Patients with headache disorders may benefit from a collaborative, interdisciplinary and/or multidisciplinary approach with involvement from multiple physician specialties, therapists, psychologists, and pharmacists. Each member of the team plays a role in headache diagnosis and management, from medication management to patient education to procedural or surgical intervention. Initiation of an interdisciplinary approach for the patient with headache is crucial, especially if the patient fails initial conservative treatment or suffers from other chronic pain states so as to adequately address all aspects of the headache pain. The successful headache management team benefits from understanding each team member's role within the team.