Approximately half of all primary school children experience headaches and migraines at school, at home, or during leisure time. 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. Our two courses, "Stop the Headache" and "Headache School ," demonstrate that there is an alternative to chronic pain and suffering. These programs are implemented in cooperation with the Kiel Pain Clinic, teachers, and private therapists, in partnership with the Techniker Krankenkasse (a German health insurance company). The goal is to prevent and alleviate headaches in children. Innovative schools utilize these programs to inform and prevent headaches among their students. The video shows a lesson from the Headache School at the Surendorf Primary School in Schleswig-Holstein.

Stop the headache

"Stop the Headache" is aimed at children and teenagers between eight and fourteen years old who already suffer from headaches or migraines. It 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 scientifically proven in a study by the University of Göttingen: the number of headache days in participating children can be significantly reduced through treatment. Medication use also decreased. Courses are started as needed. For questions, please read more on the website or contact the Kiel Pain Clinic's information hotline.

Telephone: 0431-20099-400 or
Email: iv-netz@schmerzklinik.de

Headache School

Headaches are the most common health problem in school. A representative survey of schools found that, depending on the type of school, between 20 and 50% of students reported headaches as an important and persistent health problem. This survey also revealed clear evidence that headaches are a major reason for the development of addictive behavior and drug abuse. Due to the suffering that the headaches cause, the children can become receptive to trying drugs and try to improve their well-being in this way. Special knowledge about headache treatment and headache prevention is therefore of great importance in preventing drug addiction in children.

In light of these facts, primary school teacher Karin Frisch and Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel of 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 are available free of charge website