Stop headaches in children
Approximately half of all children experience headaches and migraines at school, at home, or during leisure activities. In Schleswig-Holstein, nearly 90,000 children are affected. Six percent of them suffer from headaches once a week or more frequently. Without early intervention, many of these children experience headaches more often or even chronically. The Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) health insurance company in Schleswig-Holstein demonstrates that there is an alternative to chronic pain and suffering with two courses: "Stop the Headache" and "Headache School." These programs are implemented in cooperation with the TK, Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel from the Kiel Pain Clinic, teachers, and independent therapists. The goal is to alleviate headaches in children while simultaneously reducing or even eliminating the need for medication.
Stop the headache
“Stop the Headache” is aimed at children and adolescents between the ages of eight and fourteen who already suffer from headaches or migraines. The program offers them access to modern advice and treatment nationwide. Participation requires a doctor's certificate confirming that the child has been suffering from tension headaches or migraines for more than six months. The program's effectiveness has been demonstrated in a study conducted by the University of Göttingen: the number of headache days among participating children can be significantly reduced through treatment. Medication use also decreased.
Courses are started as needed. They take place throughout Schleswig-Holstein at cooperating specialist practices. Further information is available from the course instructors. Addresses and additional information can be found on our website. You can register directly.
If you have any questions, please contact the Kiel Pain Clinic's organizational hotline:
Phone: 0431-20099-400 or by email: iv-netz@schmerzklinik.de .
Headache School
Headaches are the most common health problem in schools. A representative survey of schools revealed that, depending on the type of school, between 20 and 50% of students report headaches as a significant and persistent health issue. This survey also provided clear evidence that headaches are a major contributing factor to the development of addictive behavior and substance abuse. The distress caused by headaches can make children susceptible to experimenting with drugs in an attempt to improve their well-being. Therefore, specific knowledge about headache treatment and prevention is crucial for preventing drug addiction in children.
In light of these facts, primary school teacher Karin Frisch and neurologist Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel from the Kiel Pain Clinic have developed a teaching unit that is available to teachers. Currently, there are no measures or programs specifically designed for teachers and students to prevent headaches in schools. Teachers, students, and parents should be comprehensively informed to raise awareness of headache disorders in school-aged children. Knowledge about headache disorders, the ability to recognize different types, and the dissemination of various coping strategies can lead to early detection of headaches and the initiation of specific measures, such as parent-teacher conferences, consultation with specialists, and medical professionals. All necessary materials available free of charge on the website.