Migraine

I read this book back in 2004 when I was first trying to get a handle on my migraines. I just finished re-reading it, and find it still has a lot to offer. I was a patient of Dr. Livingstone's briefly before he left my area and moved out west, and I found his approach very helpful.

Dr. Livingstone is a neurologist and headache specialist, and a migraineur himself. The medical information on the causes and processes of migraine are not the most up to date (the book was published in 2003) but are consistent with what is provided in other good basic migraine books. What makes this book different is its emphasis on a relaxation routine for migraine prevention.

Dr. Livingstone states that migraineurs' nervous systems are:

quote:

very reactive to any change, even good change. This sensitivity is the hallmark of the migraine condition. Unless it is understood and recognized, the migraine disorder cannot be adequately treated.

He recommends regular practice of relaxation and meditation to calm down the responsiveness of the nervous system. He advocates using a combination of medication and relaxation, citing studies showing that preventive medications reduce migraine about 40% on average (I suspect there are more up to date statistics on this); and other studies showing that a regular relaxation practice reduces migraines 40% on average. Is it a safe bet to say if doing both, we might reduce migraine 80%? That's a number I could be very happy with!

I followed Dr. Livingstone's suggestions very closely for quite awhile after meeting with him and reading his book. I was not on a preventive medication regimen at the time, and yet saw my migraines go from 3-4 per week to 2-3 per month. I have become less regular with my relaxation practice in the last couple of years, and I'm getting more migraines again. I suspect some of that is due to a change or progression in my migraine pattern. I do recommend the book, and the relaxation exercises in it, very highly. Not only do they impact my migraines, but they work well on my general anxiety, too!

- Megan

Millsy - that used to happen to me, too! I hate when that happens. We certainly don't need to stress about relaxing! i'd like to share a very simple relaxation technique I use a lot - it's just yoga breathing.

Sit comfortably with your back supported, legs uncrossed, hands on your knees. Close your eyes. Breathe in deeply through your nose, for a slow count of three. As you inhale, allow your abdomen to inflate like a balloon. Then breathe out through your mouth for a count of five, gently pulling in your abdominal muscles as you exhale. Gently concentrate on your breathing. If you find yourself thinking of other things, don’t get upset with yourself. Gently remind yourself to focus on your breathing. Try doing this for five minutes at first. Each day you can increase the time.

I wrote some more about relaxation on my blog today. You can read it Here if you like.

- Megs

I would like to add than when I started having hyponotherapy (sp) getting me to relax was tough, but as I progressed and practiced, I got better and the techniques I have learned there are very helpful in general. But it does take practice. Relaxing as Meg is talking about doing is not easy. But it is a great tool to have.

Cindy

I can be relaxed and still have a headache too. It's certainly not a cure-all, seems like nothing is. But when I'm relaxed with a headache I'm less miserable, which makes a difference for me. And I can only speak for myself but when I relax regularly it does have an impact on how often I get headaches. Part of the healthy living thing!

- Megs