Many Approaches Make the Difference

Every aspect of the Diamond Inpatient Headache Unit is designed to encourage well-behavior, teaching patients to cope with pain in healthy, constructive ways. 

While at the unit, patients wear street clothes and participate in recreational and therapeutic programs. Relapse into pain behaviors, such as withdrawal or lack of routine, are discouraged. 

Diagnosis and treatment are presented with a multidisciplinary approach. A team of physicians, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, dietitians, physical and activity therapists and counselors are involved in the care of each patient.

Specific therapy methods that may be used include: 

Individualized Drug Therapy. The recommendations are made based on diagnosis and previous response to therapy. Some patients benefit from multiple drugs (co-pharmaceutical approach), which requires close monitoring by the unit's full-time pharmacist. 

Psychological Intervention. Patients participate in group sessions. If indicated in the treatment plan, individual psychological and psychiatric counseling may be initiated. 

Biofeedback Training. This non-drug therapy augments other therapies and can be extremely helpful to many patients. 

Physical and Activity Therapy. Clinic physicians may prescribe exercise, diathermy, and such activities as stress management, relaxation training and art therapy. Patient education, discussion groups, meetings with the staff pharmacist and classes with the dietitian are a few of our program’s aspects that help patients learn to understand the causes of headaches and the principles of successful treatment. 

Alternative Therapies. Massage therapy and acupuncture complement the treatment program, helping patients relieve stress and tension.

Detoxification. Medically supervised withdrawal from analgesic medications is often necessary to lessen or eliminate drug dependency. Patients will receive necessary support while stopping these drugs or decreasing their caffeine intake. 

Family Involvement. Family members are encouraged to be involved in the program. This is important, since family understanding often relieves anger and frustration caused by the patient's behavior. It also identifies behaviors by family members that may contribute to stress on the patient.