No More HeadachesEliminate headaches without medication

Most people who experience migraines have developed behavioral patterns over a period of years or even decades. Once you have had one hundred headaches you know how to do it well. While each individual has unique reactions, there are general phases that apply to most headaches.

Initiation: With all people who experience headaches, there comes a moment when we realize that another headache is coming. The feeling may have been triggered by something we ate or something we smelled; it could be triggered by work stress or noisy children or hot weather. Sometimes the notice of a headache arrives internally and the pain begins before we know it. Other times we receive clues for a while until the headache finally arrives. Whatever the source, the initiation phase occurs when the headache first begins.

Buildup: Once a headache has been identified, behavior changes. Through habitual reaction our body begins to move into headache mode. We often think of the reasons why we cannot have a headache now and tension builds. Sometimes we go immediately for medication before the headache gets worse. Sometimes we try to resist the headache until the pain is too much to bear. For some people this phase occurs quickly while others can stretch it out for a while. However in most cases we anticipate that the headache is unavoidable and go through various adjustments until the pain reaches its peak.

Peak: There is a phase during each headache where the pain reaches its highest intensity. By now most people have disconnected from others, realizing it is much easier to be in pain when you are alone. The length and intensity of this phase varies by individual and by episode. While a standard headache cycle may stretch out for hours, it is the peak that is most memorable.

Downturn: Sooner or later something happens that initiates the downturn of the headache. Whether the trigger is severe, such as vomiting, or subtle, such as falling asleep, the downturn signals that the pain will diminish rather than grow. 

Recovery: Once downturn is achieved the pain begins to diminish, often into a dull throb. While the headache is still there, it is not bad in contrast to the peak period. Sometimes your head can feel a ‘headache bruise’ as the aftereffects last for hours or even days. Sometimes the recovery phase leads to the end of a headache episode, while other times it never quite goes away before a new episode begins.

As you develop awareness of your own headache cycle the patterns become apparent. We each have our own unique way of dealing with headaches and pain, and awareness of the habits you have formed is an important starting point.

The main focus of this workshop is the Buildup Phase. If you wish to prevent headaches it helps to understand your habitual reactions during this phase. As you become aware of the physical, emotional, intellectual and behavioral aspects that influence the buildup of your headaches, you can begin to make changes. Most of the changes involve choice, and much of this workshop will help identify the choices that you have.

While I have attempted to make lifestyle changes in order to reduce stress and tension, I still experience these feelings. It is not avoidance of triggers that has led to my success in eliminating headaches. Instead it is my perception and handling of stress that has changed.

When I feel the first sign of impending headache, I don’t move into the Buildup phase. Instead I move into the Release Phase, in which I pay attention to my body and seek balance. I don’t take painkillers and I don’t have to go away and hide. I have simply learned how to be aware of headache signals and to make the appropriate adjustments before the Buildup occurs. 

Like many skills, the ability to move into Release Phase instead of Buildup Phase requires knowledge and practice. While the explanation sounds overly simple, when you have obtained the skill you will see the truth. Once you have learned to not have headaches, you will simply not allow headaches to occur.

Transformational Exercises

Over the next few months the information on this site will grow. If you currently experience headaches and would like to follow the program, each week there will be specific exercises recommended. You may choose to do this work by yourself or in a group. You may wish to involve a therapist who can help with physical release of stress and tension. You may wish to see a doctor before altering use of medications.

There are many ways in which you can benefit from the transformational workshop. I have found that keeping a personal journal allowed me to write and learn about myself. To begin your own journal, write about your current state of affairs. Write about your headaches, how frequent they are, how they develop and how long you have had them. Ultimately, you are describing your starting point.

When you have finished writing about your headaches, write the following sentence ten times: I can learn to eliminate headaches.

See you next week!

© Copyright 2008 Glenn Stewart Coles