If you have never had a migraine headache, you may not understand the depth of pain experienced by migraine sufferers. These are more than just annoying; they are intense, debilitating, and excruciatingly painful. People who live with the pain of these headaches often would do almost anything to escape the recurrence of the pain.
No one knows for sure what causes migraines, and research doctors have developed a couple of theories about their origin. Some researchers believe that migraines are caused by a sudden spasm of the artery within the brain, temporarily blocking blood flow and causing instant, extreme pain. Others believe that migraines are caused by the temporary inflammation of a facial nerve. The swelling caused by the inflammation then causes a short-term decrease in the amount of blood flow available to that area of the brain.
People often use a variety of medicine to treat or prevent migraines. Some are more successful than others, but all of them have side effects, and some side effects are worse than others. For example, one of the most popular medicines used to stop a migraine attack is Imitrex. Unfortunately, if a person has blockages in the arteries of his or her heart or brain, taking this medicine can result in a heart attack or stroke.
A number of non-medicinal alternatives have been studied, including relaxation therapy and massage. These are sometimes effective, and certainly less dangerous than a heart attack or stroke. But they can be expensive – and it is difficult to schedule an appointment with a massage therapist at a moment’s notice – not to mention driving over during a migraine attack.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Ericksonian Hypnosis have offered new hope for migraine sufferers who are willing to try innovative techniques to escape their pain. Clients can learn to implement self-hypnosis at home, using methods taught during personal sessions, or through a series of tapes or CDs designed for this purpose.
While in the state of hypnosis, a client can release Endorphins, which are the brain’s natural opiate-like pain relievers. They can also learn to control blood flow through the brain, which also has a powerful effect on relieving a headache. Nearly everyone who has tried these approaches has reported a significant degree of relief from their pain. Are you ready to free yourself from the pain?
