No More HeadachesEliminate headaches without medication

Sometimes I get a cramp in my leg muscle. Often the cramp occurs because of something I have done subconsciously, such as sitting on my foot or tensing my leg muscles. When the pain from the muscle cramp comes into my awareness, I know what to do to make it go away. It just takes focus and intentional muscle relaxation.

In my world a migraine headache and a leg muscle cramp are very similar. When I become aware of an impending migraine, I know what to do to make it go away. In retrospect the migraine has occurred because of conscious or subconscious life choices. However, through focus and intentional relaxation the potential headache goes away.

Changing my personal reaction to migraines was not easy. When I had recent experience with head pain, it was a challenge to avoid the ‘fear and panic’ mode that encourages headaches to escalate. However, whether it is easy or not, it is possible. I have learned how to not have headaches.

As I analyze my progress there are many things to consider. Avoidance of triggers was not the most important step; today I am repetitively exposed to previous triggers and they no longer have effect. Finding the right medication was not important; today the only pills in my house are Tylenol that I keep for guests.

The most important step in overcoming migraines was learning how to control and alter my thinking. When I feel a migraine approaching, my immediate thought is that I can take steps to make it go away. I have learned to manage the whirlwind of thoughts that occur during times of challenge; to recognize that feelings of fear and panic are based on expectation of escalating pain; and to quell those thoughts by not allowing the pain to escalate.

Pain increases when we focus on it. Pain exists for many reasons and we have learned that it is important to pay attention. While some pain may be indicative of changes in the body that require treatment, other pain can become less prominent as we shift our attention. For example, science has proven that laughter can reduce pain, partly through shift of attention and partly through adjustment of body chemistry.

To my readers, I do not intend to oversimplify things. Though I have managed to learn certain techniques that changed my life, every person has their own path. Though I suffered from migraines for twenty-two years, I never advanced beyond off-the-counter painkillers. Though I learned new ways of dealing with stress and internal conflict, a career change was required. My challenges were unique to me as yours are to you.

The bottom line is that I hope to promote a vision of healing that some may choose to follow. My hope is that through suggestion and description of my experiences, others can gain new awareness of their own condition. Through awareness comes empowerment, through empowerment comes growth. It is possible to learn how to not have migraines.

Copyright 2008 Glenn Stewart Coles

To read more about thought management, check out:

Quieting the Mind

Thoughts about Thoughts