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The Jefferson Headache Center at Methodist is one of the few comprehensive, academic inpatient programs in the country. It offers headache sufferers the services and expertise of a highly skilled, designated team of neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and support staff who are responsive to individual needs.

The goal of inpatient treatment at the Center is to stop the patient’s headache cycle. Our team develops an individualized treatment program to reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches – enabling the patient to return to a more normal, active lifestyle.

What to Expect
Upon arrival in the hospital, patients are typically started on intravenous (IV) medications along with continuous IV fluids. We will create and assign a patient-specific diet. Through a team approach, we coordinate care among the attending physicians, the nurse coordinator, a headache fellow, a neurology resident, a psychologist, a psychiatrist and the unit nurses. When necessary, consultations with physical therapists, dietitians and other specialists are available. These professionals work collaboratively to ensure the patient receives individually designed and targeted leading-edge, comprehensive treatment.

Educational and Therapeutic Group Sessions
Weekly educational and therapeutic group sessions provide Jefferson Headache Center inpatients the opportunity to share personal experiences and learn how to manage life after hospitalization. Led by a Ph.D. psychologist, these sessions are also used to discuss general concepts in headache education. Topics may include how to manage medications properly, the importance of staying active and remaining optimistic, and how to ease back into normal activities after inpatient treatment. Group relaxation and introductory biofeedback exercises are also conducted.

Biofeedback
Biofeedback is one of the treatments offered at the Jefferson Headache Center at Methodist. Biofeedback is a method for gaining voluntary control over seemingly involuntary aspects of physiology – including breathing rate, muscle tension and blood flow. It is combined with relaxation training and has been shown to help reduce headache frequency and intensity.

Methodist Hospital has been caring for South Philadelphia since 1892. For a physician or referral, please call 1-800-JEFF-NOW, or use the online appointment request form. To schedule tests or procedures, call 215-952-1234.