Figuring Out Your Headache/Pain Triggers

Sessions Pain Management Figuring Out Your Headache/Pain Triggers

Here are steps to help you figure out your headaches:

1. Keep a Record

2. Rate Your Pain

3. Look for Patterns

1. Keep a Record – Write on a calendar the things that happen before, during and after your headache/pain. You should write down:

When your pain started
What you were doing when you noticed the pain
What you ate last or if you forgot to eat
What you did in response to the headache

2. Rate Your Pain – Using a scale like the one below, record the number that describes your pain on the calendar

3. Look for Patterns – Once you have gathered information, look for patterns of things that may be triggering your pain. In addition, look for things that that have helped you in the past. These might hold clues to easing your headaches.

Billy came home from school and played video games for an hour and then started to get a headache. On the calendar he wrote down the time, the level of pain (2) and the activity before the headache (hour of video games). Once it was over he wrote what he did for the headache (medication) and how long the headache lasted.

Sally came home from school and started her homework. She had not eaten anything since breakfast. On the calendar she wrote down the time, the level of pain (e.g., 3), and the possible trigger (e.g., lack of food). Once it was over she wrote what she did for the headache (ate a snack) and how long the headache lasted.

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