Behavioral Health
Easing The Strain
The Role of Psychologists in Headache Pain Management
Headache disorders are among the most prevalent and disabling conditions worldwide and can be a source of concern for both individuals and their families, as they often interfere with performance at school/work, social functioning, mood, and quality of life. Generally, it is understood that these conditions result from a complex interplay of biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Not only can poor sleep, improper hydration/nutrition, or exposure to triggers exacerbate pain, so can stress, anxiety, fear, perfectionism or frustration. Psychologists bring a unique skillset to the table, as experts in understanding the mind-body connection, which is critical when addressing headaches. For this reason, South Florida Headache MD has partnered with Pediatric Psychology Associates (PPA) to provide individuals with the highest-quality, comprehensive treatment for headache pain management.
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Goals of Behavioral Health Treatment:
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1. Reducing Pain Intensity and Frequency
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Psychologists work with individuals to identify triggers and pain patterns associated with headaches. For example, someone with tension-type headaches may discover that excessive/chronic stress and muscle tension play a significant role in their pain. Through therapeutic interventions like biofeedback, psychologists can help individuals increase awareness and intentional regulation of their physiology (including muscle tension, heart/breath rate, etc.), thus reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches.
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2. Enhancing Pain-Management Coping Skills
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Dealing with headaches can be tough on both one’s body and mind. The constant pain can make one feel anxious and upset with themselves and the people around them. Even managing the medications and lifestyle changes can feel burdensome and overwhelming. Psychologists teach individuals skills to reduce the ups-and-downs of pain, better manage anxiety and stress which can worsen headaches, and think in healthier and more constructive ways.
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3. Improving Quality of Life
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Persistent headaches can significantly diminish one's quality of life, leading to missed school or work, disruptions in daily routines, and social isolation. Psychologists play a crucial role in helping individuals regain control over their well-being by addressing not only the intensity and frequency of pain but also managing associated changes in sleep, energy/fatigue, appetite, concentration, physical activity, and even sexual functioning. Psychologists aim to support individuals reintegrating into life and rediscovering fulfillment in their roles and relationships.
Treatments We Offer
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Our Behavioral Medicine clinic offers an array of specialized psychological services for children, adolescents, and adults. Following a comprehensive evaluation, our clinicians utilize a tailored approach in selecting a treatment that takes into consideration the individual’s unique presentation, needs, and strengths. All treatments offered are evidence-based and goals for treatment are collaboratively developed.
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Treatments include, but are not limited to, Biofeedback, Cognitive Behavioral therapies, and Pain Reprocessing Therapy. Across all these treatments, clinicians will work closely with individuals to build understanding of the pain processes and how this pathophysiology can be leveraged to reduce, or even eliminate pain.
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Biofeedback is a therapeutic approach often used for chronic headaches, such as migraines and tension headaches. It involves the use of electronic monitoring equipment to help individuals gain awareness and control over physiological processes (such as muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure) that can contribute to headaches. By providing real-time feedback on these bodily functions, biofeedback can empower individuals to harness mind-body connections, offering a holistic approach to managing chronic headaches.
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Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) is another evidence-based therapeutic approach commonly used to address chronic pain conditions. It focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that can exacerbate pain perception and distress. Through techniques such as cognitive restructuring and pain coping strategies, CBT aims to help individuals reduce pain episodes and improve their quality of life.
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Pain Reprocessing therapy (PRT) can assist individuals in rewiring the neural pathways associated with pain, disrupting the cycle of chronic pain and restoring a sense of meaning and fulfillment in their lives. Pain often arises as a learned response, with our brains associating physical sensations with threats, leading to the experience of fear and pain. To alleviate this, it becomes essential to "unlearn" these associations and connections, enabling us to cease feeling pain when there is no genuine threat or injury present. This unlearning process is facilitated through PRT.
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What to Expect
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PPA’s Behavioral Medicine Clinic at South Florida Headache MD is involved in the initial consultation for all new patients, and can also be available to provide follow-up treatment when indicated. Following your initial appointment with Dr. Hagler, you will meet with one of our specialized clinicians for a behavioral consultation after which you will receive recommendations to best help with headache management. At that time, individual recommendations for behavioral health interventions (as described above) may also be provided.
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Appointments
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To request more information or schedule an appointment, please call Pediatric Psychology Associates at (305) 936 –1002 or email info@mailppa.com.
Other Conditions that We Treat
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Specialized clinicians at our Behavioral Medicine Clinic offer evidence-based treatment for a variety of acute and chronic medical conditions above and beyond headaches and migraines.