Headache Program
When a child suffers severe or frequent headaches, it can interfere with school, family and social relationships. Our Pediatric Headache Program is the first on the West coast to focus on diagnosing and treating all types of debilitating headaches in children. Our goal is to relieve your child's pain and get them back to enjoying their normal activities.
Our specialists – pediatric neurologists with expertise in childhood headache – work closely with patients and their primary care doctors to develop effective, long-term treatment plans. Depending on your child's needs, we may work with other types of specialists, such as neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists and ophthalmologists. We also collaborate with experts at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, which combines alternative therapies like acupuncture, herbs, massage and meditation with conventional headache treatments.
As a research center, we're exploring potential new treatments for headache, as well as ways to improve existing therapies. Your child may have the option to receive an experimental treatment by joining a clinical trial.
What to Expect
At your child's first visit, one of our pediatric headache specialists will take a detailed medical history and perform a careful exam to determine the underlying cause of the headaches. We will then discuss treatment options. Because UCSF is an academic medical center, your child may see doctors who are completing specialty training under the supervision of one of our faculty members. Some families also meet with our pain psychologist.
At later visits, the specialist will continue to monitor your child's condition and adjust the treatment plan as needed. At each visit we will coordinate our care with your child's primary care doctor.
Our locations (2)
Our team
Awards & recognition
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Ranked among the nation's best in 10 specialties
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One of the nation's best in neurology & neurosurgery
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in NIH funding among U.S. neurology programs
Plan your visit
What to Bring
- Photo I.D.
- Health insurance card
- Insurance authorization, if required
- Doctor's referral, if required
- Recent test results related to your child's condition
- List of medications, including dosages, plus any your child is allergic to
- List of questions you may have
- Device or paper for taking notes
New visitor rules
Patients may have only one visitor at a time and switch visitors twice a day. Thanks!
Your Stay
We offer valuable information to help you plan for your child's upcoming hospital stay. Find out about food services, family accommodations and more.
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Your Child's Care Team
Our doctors, nurses, child life specialists and other providers have special training to care for children. Meet your child's care team.
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Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance
Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.
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Saving future lives
500+ UCSF investigators are researching cures for hundreds of childhood and adult diseases.
