Includes bibliographical references (p. 229-235) and index.

pt. I. Getting to the source of your pain -- 1. What you need to know about severe chronic headaches -- Chronic headaches are real -- Chronic headaches are not your fault -- Your headache pain can be improved, and you can feel better -- Common myths and realities about chronic severe headaches -- A self-evaluation : how bad are your headaches? -- Some basics about headache pain -- 2. What kind of headache do I have? : figuring out your particular pain puzzle -- A self-evaluation : what could be causing your headaches? -- But what if it's a combination or other type of headache? -- Seeing a doctor and getting a diagnosis -- Tests your doctor may order -- The physical examination -- Finding a good doctor, when necessary -- 3. Identifying your headache triggers -- Analyzing the when and where of your headaches : a self-evaluation -- Keeping a headache-trigger diary -- Using your trigger diary -- pt. II. The cervicogenic headache : a real pain in the neck -- 4. The basics on neck headaches -- What is a cervicogenic headache? -- How can pain in your neck make your head hurt? -- Causes of cervicogenic headaches -- Symptoms and signs of neck headaches -- Are you at risk? : diagnosing the cervicogenic headache -- 5. Resolving the neck headache -- Considering medications -- Trigger injections -- Joint injections -- The nerve block -- Rubbing out the pain : massage therapy -- Chiropractic adjustments might help -- Physical therapy -- "Nexercises" that may help -- Additional at-home therapies that can help with pain -- Surgical interventions -- 6. What you can do to prevent neck headaches -- Analyze your phone style (neck craning versus headset) -- Consider the items you carry with you -- Your lifting strategy : some changes might be in order -- Your office chair : is it pain-free? -- What about your computer? : ideas for improvement -- Other headache-inducing issues at home-- Some suggestions for moms with babies and small children -- Consider the effects of light and sounds --

pt. III. Migraines and other chronic severe headaches -- 7. The migraine -- Migraines are often misdiagnosed as other headaches -- Symptoms of migraine headaches -- Possible causes of migraines -- Other coexisting medical problems are common -- Menstrual migraines -- Finding migraine relief : yes, it's out there! -- 8. Cluster, tension-type, emergency, and other chronic severe headaches -- Coping with cluster headaches -- Tension-type headaches -- Occipital neuralgia -- Emergency headaches -- Combination/mixed headaches -- Chronic daily headaches -- 9. When headache pain stems from other medical conditions or causes -- How doctors suspect your headaches may be something else -- Common illnesses that cause chronic headaches -- Asthma -- Sinus headaches/sinusitis -- Rebound headaches -- When other medications induce headaches -- Chronic infections -- Obstructive sleep apnea -- Temporomandibular disorders -- Eye problems that may cause headaches -- pt. IV. Getting to wellness : working with your doctor to treat your headaches -- 10. Prescribing relief : medications that combat and prevent recurring headaches -- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and COX-2 inhibitors -- Ergot derivatives -- Muscle relaxants : the good and the bad -- Narcotics -- Topical prescribed medications -- Butalbital (Fiornal, Fioricet) -- Specialized migraine medications : the triptans -- Medications for nausea and vomiting -- Newer medication solutions given to prevent headaches -- 11. Over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements -- The old standbys : Tylenol, Excedrin, and aspirin -- Supplements that may help you -- Suggestions for buying OTC vitamins and supplements -- Alcohol and medication interactions -- 12. Botox : a new biologic drug for pain -- What is botox? -- How does botox work? -- How botox is used for headaches : the process -- Our experiences with botox headache therapy -- How to find out more about botox and headaches -- 13. Alternative therapies and what you can do to prevent chronic headaches -- Get any other medical problems treated -- Reduce your stress levels -- Sleep : are you getting enough? -- Identify and avoid your food triggers -- Finding relief with alternative therapies -- Concluding remarks.