PODCAST

HeadWise

National Headache Foundation

A podcast about the latest news on migraine disease and headache disorders.

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All Episodes

How to Transition Migraine Care for College and Beyond

HeadWise ·

2025/10/22

Moving from high school to college, or from your parents’ care to your own, can be a major life transition. For people living with migraine or other headache disorders, these changes can also mean adjusting how you access, organize, and maintain effective care.In this episode of HeadWise, Dr. Lindsay Weitzel talks with Dr. Hope O’Brien, neurologist, headache specialist, and CEO of the Headache Center of Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio. Together, they explore how young adults and their

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Understanding Acute Migraine Treatments: What’s...

HeadWise ·

2025/10/15

When a migraine attack strikes, finding the right acute treatment can make all the difference. In this episode of HeadWise, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, talks with Dr. Robert Kaniecki, Director of the UPMC Headache Center, about today’s full range of acute migraine medications — what they are, how they work, and who they help most.Together they review everything from over-the-counter pain relievers to advanced migraine-specific medications, including: - OTC options like ibuprofen,

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When Migraine Leads You to Rethink Your Career Path

HeadWise ·

2025/10/08

In this episode of HeadWise, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD talks with Paula Dumas, founder of Migraine Again and co-host of the Migraine World Summit, about what happens when migraine forces you to rethink your career path.Paula shares her personal journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Together, Lindsay and Paula explore: - How to recognize when your job is no longer working for your health - The stigma people living with migraine often face in the workplace - What makes a

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33:58

The Limits of Mind Body Medicine for Migraine

HeadWise ·

2025/09/24

What are the limits of mind-body approaches in managing migraine? In this episode of HeadWise, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, talks with Elizabeth Seng, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology and expert in headache psychology, about the promises and pitfalls of behavioral strategies for migraine.Together, they explore: - Why lifestyle and psychological techniques can help but don’t “cure” migraine - How misconceptions fuel stigma and self-blame for people living with migraine - The role of

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19:55

New Migraine Research: GLP-1s, Breastfeeding Safety,...

HeadWise ·

2025/09/17

In this special HeadWise News episode, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD and Tim Smith, MD, break down some of the most talked-about new studies in headache and migraine research.Topics include: GLP-1 medications and their potential to reduce migraine days Reassuring data on ubrogepant use while breastfeeding How memantine may help adolescents with migraine The link between Ajovy and improved outcomes for patients with migraine and depression Why new daily persistent headache (NDPH) responds

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15:34

Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Explained

HeadWise ·

2025/09/10

In this episode of HeadWise, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, is joined by neurosurgeon Dr. Betsy Grunch to explore idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH)—also known as pseudotumor cerebri or high-pressure headache. Dr. Grunch explains what IIH is, why it can be difficult to diagnose, and how it differs from migraine and other headache disorders.Follow Dr. Betsy Grunch (Ladyspinedoc) on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladyspinedoc Instagram:

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Cervicogenic Headache: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

HeadWise ·

2025/08/13

Cervicogenic headache is head pain caused by neck problems and can be misdiagnosed as migraine. Host Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, discusses causes, diagnosis, and treatments, from physical therapy to surgery, with guest neurosurgeon Betsy Grunch, MD.You’ll learn: ⬩ How cervicogenic headache differs from migraine ⬩ Why trauma isn’t the only cause—arthritis, degeneration, and hypermobility can play a role ⬩ Why imaging doesn’t always reveal the problem ⬩ Treatment approaches, including

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Headache-Specific Locus of Control: What You Can (and...

HeadWise ·

2025/07/31

What does it really mean to “take control” of your migraine or head pain? In this episode of HeadWise™, host Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, speaks with Elizabeth Seng, PhD, psychologist, researcher, and professor at Yeshiva University, about the psychological concept of locus of control and how it applies to people living with migraine and headache disease.They explore: - What “locus of control” and “self-efficacy” really mean - Why believing you caused your own migraine can be harmful -

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8:46

Can Jaw Pain Trigger Migraine? Understanding TMD

HeadWise ·

2025/07/23

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is more than just jaw pain—it can play a surprising role in migraine and head pain. In this episode of HeadWise™, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, sits down with headache specialist Fred Cohen, MD, to explore how structural jaw issues might contribute to migraine attacks.They break down: - The difference between TMJ and TMD - How TMD can trigger or worsen migraine through the trigeminal nerve - Common symptoms and warning signs to watch for - Which providers

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23:35

Craniosacral Therapy for Migraine And Head Pain

HeadWise ·

2025/07/16

In this episode of HeadWise™, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, sits down with certified craniosacral therapist Elizabeth Browning Jones, RMT, to explore how this gentle, hands-on therapy may help people living with migraine and head pain. They unpack the science and theory behind craniosacral therapy, how it supports the nervous system, and why a light touch can lead to deep relief.This episode offers insight into a lesser-known therapy that may provide meaningful support on your headache

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15:39

OnabotulinumtoxinA for Migraine: What You Need to Know

HeadWise ·

2025/07/09

Is OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) effective for chronic migraine and how does it really work?In this episode of HeadWise™, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, sits down with headache specialist Fred Cohen, MD, to explore the science, real-world impact, and practical considerations of OnabotulinumtoxinA treatment for chronic migraine. Dr. Cohen breaks down: Why Botox works beyond muscle relaxation What the research and real-world data show about effectiveness How treatment protocols are customized

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33:26

Allodynia, Central Sensitization, and the Progression...

HeadWise ·

2025/06/25

Why can something as simple as wearing earrings or taking a shower trigger pain when living with migraine?In this episode of HeadWise, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, is joined by leading headache specialist Dr. Richard Lipton to explore the phenomenon of allodynia—when normally non-painful touch becomes painful. They break down how this symptom develops through central and peripheral sensitization, why it can signal migraine progression, and how early treatment may help reverse it. You’ll

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Misunderstood and Misdiagnosed: A New Look at ME/CFS

HeadWise ·

2025/06/18

What do migraine, chronic fatigue, and connective tissue have in common?In this episode of HeadWise, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD talks with neurologist Ilene Ruhoy, MD, about the misunderstood world of ME/CFS. They explore how fatigue, headache, and pain overlap—and what doctors may be missing when symptoms go unexplained.

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18:48

The Autonomic Nervous System’s Role in Headache and...

HeadWise ·

2025/06/11

What do symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and brain fog have in common? They may all be signs of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction—an often-overlooked factor in headache and migraine care. In this episode of HeadWise, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, welcomes Lauren Natbony, MD, board-certified neurologist and founder of Integrative Headache Medicine of New York, for an in-depth conversation about how the ANS affects people living with headache and migraine disorders.

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Prescribing Medications Off-Label for Kids

HeadWise ·

2025/05/27

Why do we have so few FDA approved migraine medications for children? Should parents be concerned when their children are prescribed one or more medications that are "off-label" for pediatric patients? What does "off-label" really mean? Does it affect whether insurance will cover medications? Tune in to this episode of HeadWise as host, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD addresses these questions and more with Pediatric Headache Specialist Amy Gelfand, MD.

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