Background: Children and adolescents with frequent and chronic primary headaches are, with a prevalence of 2-23% depending on diagnosis, age, sex and frequency, a global health concern. Research on non-pharmacological treatment outcomes is sparse. Headache service faces a challenge because possible sensitisation of pain pathways can affect outcomes leading to a delay in becoming symptom free or being cured.
Method:This chapter provides a narrative review of research containing suggestions for relevant focus areas for professionals who work with children and their parents in the process of self-care.
Conclusions:Research supports that increased pericranial tenderness in children with consistent primary tension-type headache is a consequence of activated pain pathways and relevant for clinical assessment. Tension patterns, posture, muscle balance and strength in the neck/shoulder region are areas of importance for minimising the triggering of input to the nociceptive system. Lifestyle factors such as sleep, nutrition, stress and tension regulation, posture and ergonomics, physical activity (PA) and exercise are a key part of non-pharmacological team service. Empowering patient education that provides children and adolescents with the knowledge and drive to persistently pursue healthy lifestyle changes is the basis for potentially successful outcomes in terms of ethical, cultural and educational issues.