a candid look at managing and living with headaches & migraines

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Archive for January, 2008

Can Feeling Weird Predict a Migraine Attack?

Do you ever feel like you can predict a migraine is coming on because you just feel “off”? You’re not crazy. This is the first phase of a migraine attack, called prodrome, which occurs before the pain — and often visual aura — set in. It can start a day or two before a headache [...]

Finding the Right Pillow to Ease Neck Pain

I woke up this morning without the wrenching neck pain I’ve the last couple years. The secret of my success? Stacking two pillows much higher than I thought I needed. As a side sleeper, I thought the pillow should hold my head the same distance from my shoulder as when I’m standing up. But I [...]

Is Reading a Migraine or Headache Trigger?

Reading has long been an escape from my migraines. I’ve been lucky because many people say their eyes are too sensitive (photophobia) or have migraines or headache triggered by reading. Since my photophobia is generally manageable — and I usually read when I already have a migraine — I thought I was free. Apparently not. [...]

Alternative and Complementary Medicine: Evaluating Success Rates

Evaluating any medical claim carefully is crucial, no matter the source. With so many false or overblown claims about alternative and complementary treatments, I’m pretty skeptical. Alternative Medicine: Evaluate Claims of Treatment Success from the Mayo Clinic can help sort fact from fiction. The section on avoiding internet misinformation is a must-read. Other topics in [...]

Tai Chi and Yoga for Pain Management in Neurology Now

Tai chi is one of the therapies that I’m definitely going to try. Neurology Now’s article describing how tai chi and yoga invokes the mind-body connection to relieve pain cemented my decision. Physical benefits aside, releasing tension and teaching mindfulness are the most powerful effects of tai chi and yoga, according to the article. Mindfulness [...]

Trying New Treatments: A Long, Long List

Physical therapy, craniosacral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, hypnotherapy, tai chi, pilates, meditation, chiropractic. While my migraines were too bad to keep appointments this fall, I kept a running list of the new treatments and therapies I’d like to try. I have fantasies of doing nothing else than jumping in and trying all these therapies [...]