Biobehavioral Management of Migraine

PAINWeek Podcasts

There is strong evidence supporting the use of biobehavioral therapies for chronic pain conditions including fibromyalgia, migraine, and other forms of severe headache. Evidence based behavioral medicine treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and biobehavioral training. These techniques have demonstrated efficacy when learned and practiced correctly and may be used individually or in conjunction with pharmacological and other interventions. Migraine will be used as an example in this presentation; however, these techniques all have evidence for their use with chronic pain conditions and will also be applicable to chronic pain management. This workshop will review the well established approaches including include cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, relaxation training, and stress management, as well as emerging therapies including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT). The science supporting these therapies will be reviewed along with case examples and experiential learning where the audience will participate in diaphragmatic breathing and a guided visual imagery exercise so that they can either make referrals or teach these approaches themselves. Suggestions and resources for making successful referrals, finding and communicating with allied providers, and resources such as websites, apps, and books will also be reviewed.