Headache Clinic

Expert care for children with headaches and migraines

The mission of the Headache Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado is to provide comprehensive multidisciplinary healthcare  of the highest quality to children with headache disorders as well as to promote further research into the cause and treatment of headache disorders.

Peggy Schroeder, RN, helps a patient
learn relaxation techniques.

Children's Hospital Colorado is located on a new major medical campus that provides comprehensive, high quality care, education and research for both children and adults.

Multidisciplinary care team

Our collaborative multidisciplinary team provides medical and nursing care, nutritional assessments and biofeedback initiation for headache patients and their families.

During the visit to the Headache Clinic, your child will be evaluated by a pediatric neurologist or a neurology pediatric nurse practitioner, a pediatric neurology nurse and a nutritionist. You and your child will watch an educational video to learn about headaches and also participate in an interactive video relaxation program.

The clinic visit lasts approximately two hours.

About headaches

Headaches can be a common problem in children. Between 4 and 10 percent of children suffer from migraines.

Diagnostic testing

Depending on your child's symptoms, diagnostic tests may be arranged before, during or after your visit. As a comprehensive healthcare facility, Children's Hospital Colorado is equipped with advanced diagnostic services including:

Research

The Headache Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado is participating in several childhood migraine studies. Please e-mail us at headacheresearch@childrenscolorado.org if you are interested in participating or receiving information about our current headache studies.

Preparing for your appointment

Referrals to the Headache Clinic can be made either by physician referral or family self-referral. Please contact your insurance provider to obtain prior authorization as needed.

Medical records

We also request that you bring a copy of your child’s pertinent medical records to the visit for us to review, unless they were obtained at Children's Hospital Colorado.

Pertinent medical records include:

  • Notes from your child’s primary care provider regarding the headaches
  • Imaging studies (CT or MRI) If a CT or MRI was obtained, please bring a copy of the radiology report as well as a copy of the study on a CD.
  • Laboratory studies
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram, or cardiology evaluation
  • Sleep study results
  • Optometry or ophthalmology evaluation

For more information

Contact Neurosciences

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call:

  • Neurology
    (720) 777-6895
  • Neurosurgery
    (720) 777-6100
  • Neuro-Oncology
    (720) 777-6772

Headache Tips

  • Make sure you drink enough fluids. Children and teens need 4 to 8 glasses (8 oz) of fluids per day.
  • Make sure you get plenty of regular sleep at night (but don't oversleep). Most children and teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night.
  • Be sure that you eat balanced meals at regular hours. Do not skip meals.
  • Try to avoid foods that seem to trigger headaches. Remember that every child is different so your triggers may be different from another child’s.
  • Plan and schedule activities sensibly. Try to avoid overcrowded schedules or stressful and potentially upsetting situations.
  • Try to treat your headaches early- that will prevent them from becoming too severe and more resistant to treatment.
  • If you have been prescribed a medication to help prevent headaches, try to take it at the same time(s) every day.

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