What is the difference between a headache and a migraine?

Headaches

• Mild, dull pressure
• Sensations mainly felt throughout the forehead or scalp

Migraines

• Intense pulsing, throbbing
• Sensations mainly felt on one side of head
• Additional symptoms of nausea, dizziness, seeing flashing lights, or blind spots

Occupational Therapy’s Role

• Exercise
• Sleep
• Diet
• Eating Routines
• Weight Loss
• Stress and mood
• Pacing and energy conservation
• Cognition
• Sensory Regulation
• Medication Compliance

Interventions

• CBT
• Sleep Hygiene, CBT-I for sleep
• Biofeedback
• Relaxation Therapy
• Mindfulness (MBSR)

Outcome measures

• Pain Diary
• Pain Scale
• Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)
• Quality of Life Survey
• Headache Impact Test (HIT-6)
• Headache Management Self-Efficacy Scale (HMSE)
• Migraine Disability Assessment Test (MIDAS)
• Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQL)