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Headaches
Are you one of those people who have tried everything to reduce
your chronic migraine and/or muscle tension headaches? Have
you taken multiple medications that work to relieve the headaches
for awhile but then you must switch to something else?
There are many medications for headache pain that you take to relieve
the pain AFTER it starts. But where
is the information that will tell you how to avoid getting
the headache in the first place? What causes rebound
headaches?
Does Imitrex work for
all migraines? What headache medications are best for is
relieving the pain once it has already started. The underlying
problem of most chronic headaches is physical triggers that
you are unaware of.
Our Headache
Relief Training uses a behavioral approach which focuses on
teaching you skills of PREVENTING your
headaches BEFORE they start.
A behavioral approach
means using body awareness techniques to lower levels
of tension in specific muscles of the head and shoulders
known to contribute to chronic headaches. Changing ongoing
habits changes your headache pattern. These habits occur
in two main categories. The first is in the physical arena.
Anything that involves your physical body: how you hold your
jaw, clenching your teeth and tight shoulder muscles, to
name a few. The second area is how you respond to life stresses.
If you have had headaches for a long time, you have coping
mechanisms that have translated into muscular tension and
an inability to relax. The benefit of a behavioral approach
is that it puts you in control of your headaches and means
you have access to it all the time. You don't have to rely
on solely on medications, massage, chiropractic or other
outside interventions.
Physical Triggers to Headaches
What are "physical triggers"? Well they refer to bad posture habits
like believe it or not, 'stand up straight', 'shoulders back',
'chin up'. That is basic military posture many of you were taught as kids.
Other behavioral habits are clenching your teeth and holding your
shoulders 'up around your ears'. These ongoing, unconscious habits create
real physiological changes in your muscles which can then trigger headaches.
We know they are unconscious habits,
because MOST people initially deny they have any of the
above habits.
But after paying attention to themselves
for a week they are quick to realize that is not the case. Frequent Headaches Can be a Plus
It is actually the frequency of your headaches that will tell you how effective
a behavioral approach can be. If your headaches (tension or migraine) occur
more frequently than once a month you are the best candidate for this kind
of approach. It means there are certain habits you have and ingrained
responses of how you cope with life's ups and downs that are contributing
to frequent headaches.
Here is the best part. Once you can identify what those unconscious areas
are you can change them. One of the best training methods in
becoming aware of unconscious habits is biofeedback.
Biofeedback is a system of education and treatment based on monitoring
biological signals produced by the body.
Biofeedback can be done with electronic instrumentation but your
own powers of observation can be trained to provide you with
information you need about your body to make the changes necessary
to alter your headache pattern.
How do you know a behavioral approach is appropriate
for you?
1. You have tried 'everything'
2. You anticipate a headache putting your body in 'alert
mode' setting you up for a headache
3. You override what your body needs which also keeps it in an alert mode
4. You put everyone else's needs before your own
5. You do not pick up on body signals that tell you to slow down, take a break,
etc.
6. Your headaches are more frequent than once a month
7. You are a high achiever, controlling, perfectionist
8. You may also suffer from insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, and/or anxiety
Making changes in your physical body
requires some effort on your part but it is well worth it avoid
spending your life as a victim to your headache pain.
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