"I have a headache, but that's normal" — I hear this sentence almost every day in my office. Many patients live with headaches for years, considering them a part of their life, something they simply have to endure. But a headache that recurs regularly is never something to ignore.

A headache is not a diagnosis — it is a symptom

What often surprises patients is that a headache in itself is not a disease, but a sign that something is going on in the body. It can be the result of tension in the neck and shoulder muscles, poor sleep, dehydration, hormonal changes, or something more serious that requires neurological treatment. This is why it is important to distinguish an occasional headache from one that returns in regular cycles or changes in character.

When is the right time for a neurological examination?

I recommend that you see a neurologist if your headache lasts more than two weeks, if it occurs more than twice a week, if its character has changed — for example, it has become stronger, different, or is accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, or visual disturbances. Also, if you have noticed that standard painkillers are no longer helping you or you are taking them more often than before, this is a clear sign that your body is seeking attention.

In the office, I start with a thorough neurological examination. Depending on the findings, an EEG (electrical brain activity recording) or referral for additional diagnostics is sometimes necessary. The goal is to understand the cause, not just alleviate the symptom.

Integrative approach to headache

Once we rule out serious causes, the part of the job that I particularly enjoy begins — looking for the bigger picture. In many patients, chronic headaches have multiple, intertwined causes: stress, poor posture while working at a computer, lack of certain micronutrients, inadequate sleep.

Acupuncture has proven to be extremely useful for tension headaches and for reducing the frequency of attacks. Many of my patients notice that after a series of treatments, the headaches are less frequent and less severe. Manual therapy helps those whose headaches are rooted in blockages in the cervical spine. And nutritional analysis often reveals a lack of magnesium, vitamin B2 or coenzyme Q10 — substances that are important for the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Headache Diary — Your Most Important Tool

One of the most helpful tips I give to every headache patient is to keep a diary. Write down every time a headache occurs: what day it is, what time it is, what you were doing before it, what you ate, how you slept the night before, what your mood was like. After just two to three weeks, a pattern often emerges that is invisible when we think about headaches in general.

This diary is also extremely valuable to me as a neurologist — it helps me, together with you, identify triggers and direct therapy precisely, instead of guessing.

Headaches don't have to be your companion.

Living with chronic headaches is not inevitable. There are approaches that can significantly reduce their frequency and severity, and they start with understanding what your body is really telling you. If you're tired of recurring headaches, come in for a consultation — together we can create a plan that's right for you.