$Unique_ID{BRK02165}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Headache Relief Without Medication}
$Subject{Headache Medication pain killers relaxation techniques behavioral
adjustments stress management migraine muscle-contraction cluster behavioral
adjustments release tension inner quietness freedom distressing thoughts
Jacobsen's progressive relaxation Biofeedback Meditation Physical exercise
imagery physiotherapy acupuncture hypnotherapy}
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Copyright (c) 1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Headache Relief Without Medication


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QUESTION:  I see my husband constantly popping aspirin for his headaches.
Complete medical checkups have found nothing, and the doctor chalks up the
problem to the continued pressures of the work place.  But I would like to
search for some relief for him that doesn't involve so much medicine.  Is
there any way to deal with headaches without taking loads of medication?

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ANSWER:  Yes, there are some other avenues that can be explored that might
diminish the need for pain killers, even those as simple as aspirin.  Doctors
who specialize in the treatment of headaches say they've had success with
relaxation techniques and behavioral adjustments in the treatment of headache.
The relaxation techniques work best when they are incorporated into daily
living as part of stress management, so they might just do the job for your
husband.
     Unfortunately, not all types of headaches respond to relaxation methods,
and the results are not uniform.  However, relaxation techniques haves helped
people with both common and classic migraine, muscle-contraction headaches,
and to a limited extent, cluster headaches.
     Relaxation used to be defined as a passive process which restored the
body after a period of activity.  Nowadays, relaxation has become an active
process used to reduce tension.  Though many people have great difficulty
relaxing, learning the three stages of relaxation can lead to management of
the pressures of living.  The relaxation process leads to behavioral
adjustments, helping to prevent headaches.
     The first level of relaxation involves the release of tension from the
muscles.  The second stage is an inner quietness.  Many anxious, headache
prone patients present doctors with symptoms that suggest unrest in the
internal organs.  An abnormal gurgle in the abdomen due to gas or the movement
of fluid in the intestine, indigestion, and irritable bowel problems are
symptoms of such unrest.  The third stage of relaxation is freedom from
distressing thoughts.  This is described as oblivion to stress, pain, or
external reality and may feel like joy or ecstasy.  This is very difficult to
achieve.
     A technique known as Jacobsen's progressive relaxation can help relieve
tension from the neuromuscular system.  It is an orderly process in which the
patient concentrates on one muscle group at a time, moving the muscles and
working to remove tension.
     Another technique involves focusing on many organ systems to bring about
a heaviness of limbs, warmth in the extremities, control of heart rate,
regulation of respiration and cooling of the forehead.  This technique has
proven useful in achieving a state of inner quietness.
     Biofeedback can also help reduce stress and tension.  Meditation is
another form of relaxation used in headache patients, and it can produce
freedom from distressing thoughts.
     Physical exercise, imagery, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and hypnotherapy
can also help produce relaxation and serve as headache therapy.
Unfortunately, it is easier for a doctor to write out a prescription for
medicine than to teach a patient behavioral and relaxation techniques for
treatment of headaches, so you may have to search a bit for a physician who
utilizes these methods routinely in practice.  When these relaxation methods
are used in daily living, headaches can be dealt with rapidly and effectively,
and without undue medication.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.