A physician referral is required. Our team can guide you through the process.
Post-Traumatic Headache in Canada — By the Numbers
90% of concussion patients experience headache as their primary symptom
#1 most common symptom following traumatic brain injury
3M+ Canadians experience a concussion or mTBI every year
30% of PTH patients develop persistent headache lasting over 3 months
What Is Post-Traumatic Headache?
A Secondary Headache Disorder After Head Injury
Post-traumatic headache (PTH) is a secondary headache disorder that develops within 7 days of a head injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or whiplash-associated injury — and the most common reported symptom following concussion in Canada.
PTH can present as migraine-like, tension-type, or cervicogenic headache — making accurate specialist diagnosis and individualized treatment essential. In many patients, PTH is inadequately managed, leading to prolonged suffering, chronic headache, and medication overuse.
PTH is classified as:
- Acute PTH — begins within 7 days of injury, resolves within 3 months. Often responds well to early specialist management.
- Persistent PTH — continues beyond 3 months post-injury. Requires comprehensive specialist evaluation and a structured, evidence-based care plan.
Early specialist involvement can significantly improve long-term outcomes and reduce the risk of chronification.
When Should You Seek Specialist PTH Care?
Seek specialist care if any of the following apply:
- Your headache has not resolved within 4–6 weeks of the injury
- Headaches are worsening in frequency or severity
- Over-the-counter medications are not providing adequate relief
- Headaches are interfering with work, school, or return to sport
- You have a prior migraine history and your pattern has changed since injury
- You experience mood changes, cognitive difficulty, or dizziness alongside headaches
- You are using pain relievers more than 10–15 days per month
👉 Don’t wait for headaches to become chronic before requesting a referral.
⚠️ When to Go to Emergency Instead
Go to the nearest emergency department or call 911 immediately if you experience:
- A sudden, severe “thunderclap” headache — worst headache of your life
- Headache with confusion, loss of consciousness, or seizure
- Headache with one-sided weakness, vision changes, or speech difficulty
- Headache after a second head injury before recovering from the first
The information on this page is for patients with headache in the days, weeks, and months following head injury — not for acute emergencies.
Your PTH Assessment at Infiniti Medical
What to expect at your specialist appointment
01
Comprehensive PTH Assessment
Detailed review of your injury mechanism and timeline, headache onset since injury, medication use history, and full post-concussion symptom burden — cognitive, vestibular, mood, and sleep.
02
Diagnosis & Phenotyping
- IHS classification: acute vs. persistent PTH
- Headache phenotype identified: migraine-like, tension-type, or cervicogenic
- Medication overuse headache screened and assessed
- Co-occurring conditions identified
03
Personalized Treatment Plan
- Acute treatment protocol optimized
- Preventive therapy initiated where indicated
- Nerve blocks / trigger point injections as appropriate
- Physio, psychology, and sleep referrals coordinated
Why Choose Infiniti Medical for PTH Treatment in Calgary
PTH sits at the intersection of headache medicine, neurology, and concussion rehabilitation — requiring specialist expertise beyond what a general practitioner can provide. Patients choose our clinic for specialized post-traumatic headache care in NW Calgary.
PTH specialist diagnosis — phenotyping your headache pattern
MOH prevention and management — a critical PTH risk
Evidence-based care aligned with Canadian Headache Society guidelines
Collaborative rehab model — coordinated with physio, psychology & your GP
NW Calgary — Symons Valley Rd · Free parking
Treatment Options for Post-Traumatic Headache
Treatment is phenotype-based — tailored to your specific headache pattern. Your plan combines acute relief, preventive therapy, procedural treatments, and rehabilitation.
Structured Analgesic Protocol
NSAIDs and acetaminophen with a defined protocol — which agent, dose, and frequency — providing relief while preventing medication overuse headache.
Nerve Blocks & Trigger Point Injections
Greater occipital nerve blocks and targeted trigger point injections — rapid relief for cervicogenic-pattern PTH and interruption of acute pain cycles.
Preventive Medications
Amitriptyline, beta-blockers, and anticonvulsants — tailored by phenotype. Botox available for eligible persistent PTH meeting chronic migraine criteria.
Rehabilitation & Lifestyle
Physiotherapy, CBT, sleep rehabilitation, and screen time management — addressing the full post-concussion context, not just the headache in isolation.
⚠️ Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a critical and frequently missed risk in PTH. Using pain relievers on more than 10–15 days per month can paradoxically worsen headaches. Our specialists identify and reverse MOH as part of every care plan.
How to Access PTH Treatment in Calgary
Step 1
Visit your family doctor or concussion clinic physician — describe your PTH symptoms, when they began, frequency, severity, and how they are impacting your recovery. Request a referral to Infiniti Medical.
Step 2
Referral submitted — your physician faxes the completed referral form to 403-460-4569. Include injury reports, imaging results, and prior treatment records if available.
Step 3
Our team contacts you to schedule your specialist assessment, phenotyping, and personalized PTH treatment plan.
👉 Early referral — within 4–6 weeks of injury — is recommended for severe or functionally impairing PTH. Full referral information here.
FAQ
FAQ — Post-Traumatic Headache Calgary
What is post-traumatic headache and how long does it last?
Post-traumatic headache (PTH) is a headache disorder that develops within 7 days of a head injury, concussion, or whiplash-associated injury. It is classified as acute if it resolves within 3 months, or persistent if it continues beyond 3 months. Approximately 30% of patients who develop PTH will experience persistent headaches lasting more than 3 months. Early specialist involvement can significantly improve long-term outcomes and reduce the risk of chronification.
Do I need a referral to see a headache specialist for post-traumatic headache in Calgary?
Yes. Infiniti Medical Headache & Migraine Clinic requires a physician referral for all new patients, including those with post-traumatic headache. Speak with your family doctor, concussion clinic physician, or a walk-in clinic physician about your symptoms and request a referral. Your physician can fax the completed referral form to 403-460-4569. We recommend seeking a referral within 4–6 weeks of injury if headaches are severe, frequent, or significantly affecting your recovery.
What post-traumatic headache treatments are available at your Calgary clinic?
Our clinic offers a comprehensive, phenotype-based range of evidence-based treatments including: structured acute analgesic protocols, triptans for migraine-phenotype PTH, greater occipital nerve blocks, trigger point injections, tricyclic antidepressants for preventive therapy, beta-blockers and anticonvulsants, Botox injections for PTH meeting chronic migraine criteria, and IV infusion therapy for refractory cases. Physiotherapy, CBT, sleep rehabilitation, and screen time management are integrated into every care plan.
Can post-traumatic headache be confused with migraine or concussion symptoms?
Yes — PTH frequently mimics migraine or tension-type headache in its phenotype, and co-occurs with other post-concussion symptoms such as cognitive difficulties, dizziness, mood changes, and sleep disruption. A prior history of migraine can make PTH harder to recognize and treat. Accurate diagnosis by a headache specialist using IHS diagnostic criteria and a careful injury timeline is essential to ensure the right treatment is applied.
Is post-traumatic headache covered by Alberta Health Care or insurance?
Specialist consultations at Infiniti Medical may be billable under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) — contact our clinic at 403-460-4502 to confirm details. For patients injured in motor vehicle collisions, coverage may also be available through your auto insurer or Alberta’s Minor Injury Regulation framework. Patients injured at work may have coverage through WCB Alberta. Please advise our clinic at booking if your PTH is related to a motor vehicle collision or workplace injury.
How soon after a head injury should I seek specialist headache care?
You do not need to wait until your headaches are chronic. We recommend requesting a referral within 4–6 weeks of injury if your PTH is severe, frequent (more than 2–3 episodes per week), significantly disrupting your recovery, or associated with frequent use of pain relievers. Earlier specialist involvement allows for appropriate phenotyping, medication optimization, and prevention of medication overuse headache — all of which improve long-term outcomes.
Take the First Step
Start Post-Traumatic Headache Treatment with a Calgary Specialist
Post-traumatic headache is a recognized, treatable medical condition. You don’t have to manage it alone. Our Calgary headache clinic provides specialist-led, evidence-based care — built around your injury, your headache pattern, and your recovery goals.
⚕ Physician referral required · Fax: 403-460-4569 · Phone: 403-460-4502
Phone
Fax (Referrals)
403-460-4569
Location
#10 – 12432 Symons Valley Rd NW