Would you use digital strategies for a child with chronic headaches?

[chronichead]

I came across an app that wants to deliver coping strategies for children. For example relaxing strategies (stories, meditation, audio books) and more active exercises (yoga videos).

What do you think, would you use it? For me it seemed to be a good way to access many different approaches.

[Bananas5]

Simple answer? No. Why? I don't have a mobile phone or any similar device.

Children should be allowed to be children and parents/Grandparents the grown ups who interact with those smalls.

It's amazing how much imagination they have

x

[chronichead in reply to Bananas5]

Hi Bananas5 ,

I can totally understand you. I guess it anyways would only be applicable if you have a device for the app.

The one I looked at, however, was quite interactive with other people.

[Madlegs1]

I'm wondering what the cause of the chronic headaches is/ are?

Have they been diagnosed?

That would be my first port of call-- get medical advice.

As to your specific question, I would have no problem with an app that gives you ideas to help. But again, I would like to know why the child is having the headaches. It could be physical or emotional and an app won't make a diagnosis.

Drinking plenty of liquids- juice or water- no artificial sweeteners etc.

Massages of the neck.

Reassurance. And so on.

Let us know more as you find out.

Cheers.

[chronichead in reply to Madlegs1]

Hi Madlegs1

I support your point that there has to be medical advice anyways. The app is more for teaching the children how to cope with it (after being diagnosed), so more relaxing strategies, how to prevent triggers like stress, how to move correctly to avoid neck problems etc...

So it's a pool of resources which I quite like as it is only supporting the medical advice you get from doctors etc.

[Konagirl60]

I’d have the child take a magnesium supplement. Pascoflaire will calm anxiety and stress. It’s a natural German made supplement. You could also buy Passion flower tincture and add it to water or healthy juice.

[chronichead in reply to Konagirl60]

Thank you Konagirl60 for this tip!

[Konagirl60 in reply to chronichead]

You’re very welcome. I hope it helps.

[cyberbarn]

I have been watching the development of these types of apps and there is good evidence that the well written ones do work. The NHS now have a library of approved apps, I am not sure the one you have been looking at is on it, but it is worth checking.

nhs.uk/apps-library/

[chronichead in reply to cyberbarn]

Hi cyberbarn , the app I found was not in the library, it's just being developed. But I too believe that the digital solutions are getting better and better and why not support the process with a simply accessible app..

[Amkoffee]

Think of it as diversion therapy. While doing these techniques the person is not thinking about the pain.

[sad_panda_]

The question that I’m hearing is about whether using a digital devise would in itself negatively affect a migraine because of the screen.

My bestie has migraines and has shared that blue light cancelling glasses help her look at screens.

It’s not the same, but when my husband gets headaches while working on the computer, he uses the glasses to help reduce his headache also.