National Headache Foundation

National Headache Foundation Our story: We support headache & migraine awareness, deliver education, fund research, and inspire advocacy. Non-profit Headaches.org

For over 50 years, our mission at the National Headache Foundation has been to further awareness of migraine and headache disorders as legitimate neurobiological diseases. Much has changed during this time, and with the aid of advanced technology and clinical innovation, there are more treatment options than ever before. However, we understand that these diseases are still largely misunderstood and that finding the right treatment options for you requires nuanced and adaptable insight.

Missed our May issue of HeadLines™? HeadLines™ is our monthly newsletter designed to keep the headache community inform...
06/06/2026

Missed our May issue of HeadLines™? HeadLines™ is our monthly newsletter designed to keep the headache community informed, empowered, and connected.

In this month’s issue you’ll find:

• Updates on clinical trials and opportunities to participate
• Professional development grant award opportunity
• A look at how NHF is bringing awareness to headache disorders during Migraine & Headache Awareness Month

Plus: new podcast episodes, upcoming community events, and personal stories from individuals living with headache disorders

Click here to read the May issue: https://bit.ly/43evVmo

06/05/2026

Facial pressure and pain around the forehead, cheeks, or eyes are often blamed on the sinuses. But in some cases, those symptoms may be related to a headache disorder such as migraine, or depending on the quality of the pain, a condition such as trigeminal neuralgia.

In this clip, Fred Cohen, MD, discusses why headache location alone doesn't determine a diagnosis and why understanding factors like pain quality, duration, and associated symptoms is important when evaluating headache disorders.

You can watch the full episode, Understanding Headache Locations, on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure to follow so you never miss an episode.

Educational purposes only. Consult a healthcare provider about your symptoms.

Behind every headache statistic is a real person. During Migraine & Headache Awareness Month, we're launching the move...
06/04/2026

Behind every headache statistic is a real person.

During Migraine & Headache Awareness Month, we're launching the movement. We're painting one fingernail purple to show that every number has a face, a story, and a voice.

You or someone you care about may be:
The one missing important moments.
The one navigating invisible symptoms every day.
The one searching for answers.
The one who wants to be seen, believed, and understood.

Whether you're the one living with a headache disorder or someone who supports them, we invite you to join us.

1. Paint one fingernail purple
2. Take a picture or video and tell your story using the hashtags:
3. Challenge 5 friends to join you
4. Make a $5 monthly donation to NHF to support continued awareness, access initiatives and resources.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3PKVRmG

06/03/2026

What does it mean if your headache hurts in a specific spot? In this episode of HeadWise, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, and headache specialist Fred Cohen, MD, discuss common headache pain locations—including one-sided pain, facial pressure, pain behind the eyes, band-like headaches, and pain in the back of the head—and what they may mean.

They also explain why headache location is only one piece of the puzzle and how factors like pain quality, severity, duration, and associated symptoms help healthcare providers evaluate different headache disorders.

This episode is for educational purposes only. Consult a healthcare provider about your symptoms.

06/02/2026

Band-like head pain is commonly associated with tension-type headache, but location is only one piece of the puzzle. Learn how the quality of the pain, symptom severity, and accompanying symptoms can help differentiate one headache disorder from another.

Full episode releases 06/03.

June is Migraine & Headache Awareness Month (MHAM)—a time to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and remind people living...
06/01/2026

June is Migraine & Headache Awareness Month (MHAM)—a time to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and remind people living with headache disorders and migraine disease that they are not alone.

According to the World Health Organization, headache disorders affect approximately 40% of the population, yet stigma, misinformation, and a lack of access to care continue to leave millions without the support they deserve.

Why does awareness matter?
→ Too many people suffer in silence, believing their symptoms aren’t serious enough to seek help.
→ Misconceptions lead to misdiagnosis—or no diagnosis at all.
→ Many treatments exist, but people don’t know they have options.
→ Research and policy change rely on public understanding and advocacy.

Migraine. Cluster headache. Tension-type. New daily persistent headache (NDPH). Post-traumatic headache. Hemicrania continua. And more.

Every voice raised, every story shared, and every moment of awareness brings us closer to better care, stronger support, and lives with less pain. Join us this as we walk the —together.

05/29/2026

What happens when your nervous system stays on alert, even when you're safe?

In this clip, headache specialist Duren Michael Ready, MD, explains how hypervigilance can affect the brain and why feelings of safety are about more than our surroundings. He discusses the importance of "safety signals" and why self-compassion can be an important part of healing.

Migraine is a complex neurological disease, and no two experiences are exactly alike. Some people are born with a genetic predisposition to migraine, while others may develop headache disorders following factors such as head injury, illness, or other neurological changes. For some individuals, trauma, PTSD, stress, and hypervigilance may also influence how the nervous system processes pain and migraine attacks.

This clip is one part of a larger conversation about PTSD, military sexual trauma (MST), and migraine in the veteran community. The experiences discussed may resonate with some individuals while others may have different experiences.

To hear the full discussion and explore these topics in greater depth, we encourage you to watch the complete episode "Military Sexual Trauma, PTSD, Chronic Pain, and Migraine in Veterans". You can find the full episode on Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

05/28/2026

Please note that this episode contains discussions of PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma. Some listeners may find this content sensitive or triggering. We encourage you to listen at your own pace and prioritize your wellbeing.

How can trauma affect migraine and chronic pain?

In this episode of Taking Charge of Headache™, Melissa Farmer-Hill, Katy Oakley, and headache specialist Duren Michael Ready, MD, discuss the connection between military sexual trauma, PTSD, hypervigilance, sleep disruption, and migraine in veterans.

This conversation explores how trauma can affect the nervous system, why stress responses may show up as physical pain, and the importance of trauma-informed care and healing.

Taking Charge of Headache™ is part of Operation Brainstorm™, an initiative from the National Headache Foundation created in collaboration with Shero Coffee Club to support veterans living with headache and migraine through education, resources, and community.

05/26/2026

EDIT: Migraine is a complex neurological disease, and no two experiences are exactly alike. Some people are born with a genetic predisposition to migraine, while others may develop headache disorders following factors such as head injury, illness, or other neurological changes. For some individuals, trauma, PTSD, stress, and hypervigilance may also influence how the nervous system processes pain and migraine attacks. This clip is one part of a larger conversation about PTSD, military sexual trauma (MST), and migraine in the veteran community.

The experiences discussed may resonate with some individuals while others may have different experiences. To hear the full discussion and explore these topics in greater depth, we encourage you to watch the complete episode.

How can trauma and stress affect migraine attacks?

In this clip from our podcast Taking Charge of Headache™, Dr. Duren Michael Ready explains how a hypervigilant nervous system may respond to emotional distress with physical pain and why PTSD and migraine are often deeply connected.

Watch the full conversation tomorrow 05/27.

Taking Charge of Headache™ is a podcast from Operation Brainstorm™, an initiative of the National Headache Foundation created in collaboration with Shero Coffee Club to support veterans living with headache and migraine through education, resources, and community.

Learn more at OperationBrainstorm.org.

A deer suddenly crossed the road on a quiet evening in Massachusetts while James drove. He had no idea that moment would...
05/24/2026

A deer suddenly crossed the road on a quiet evening in Massachusetts while James drove. He had no idea that moment would change the course of his life. The impact caused severe whiplash, though he never struck his head. In the months that followed, James began to experience sharp, unrelenting pain behind his left eye.

🔗 Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/4fuTRJp

Address

162 W Hubbard
Chicago, IL
60654

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+13122742650

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when National Headache Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category