Think!…a book offering help for chronic head pain {{giveaway}}
February 4, 2010 | Books,Interesting People,She Reads, She Thinks, She Grows
How did Thursday get here so fast? Every Thursday I’ll share a new book that I’m reading. I’ll also share interviews with many of the authors. I was glad to interview my guest today for a personal reason.
I have a loved one who is a strong, athletic, jump-in-life kind of guy, but migraines shut him down. That’s why I was excited to read Lisa Morrone’s new book, Overcoming Headaches and Migraines. In it she offers hope and healing with those living with chronic head pain.
She’s a physical therapist. An adjunct professor in a university Doctorate level PT program, she has taught upwards of one thousand of tomorrow’s promising physical therapists, and now shares that information with those suffering with pain, and their loved ones.and shares her method of comprehensive Do-It-Yourself treatment for chronic back and neck pain sufferers.
Lisa joins me today to talk about some of those methods, as well as how chronic pain can sideline those who want to be active. She encourages those who have been told my numerous doctors that they should “just live with it”, to search deeper.
Suzie Eller: Thanks for joining us today, Lisa. . Let’s jump right in. When someone has head pain, they often reach for medication. Can the medication they take actually cause more headaches?
Lisa Morrone, PT: Strangely enough it can! When a person regularly takes medication to keep their head pain under control—whether it is over-the counter-medication, like Excedrin or Tylenol, or doctor-prescribed meds such as Cafergot or Imitrex—their brain actually gets used to the steady diet of those brain-altering chemicals.
In fact it can become addicted to them! So what does an addicted brain do when its chemical diet is running low? It does what it knows will get it some more chemicals—it produces another headache. Very clever, huh?!
SE: Some say that they feel their neck tensing up before a migraine occurs. Could the source be the neck?
LM: Suzie, in order for your readers to understand my answer to that question I need to begin with a bit of migraine education. Migraine sufferers have a lower headache “threshold” than people who do not suffer with this condition. Research has proven that their brains are actually more sensitive to the environment around them, and to their own body’s chemical and mechanical problems.
A migraine’s threshold is reached by the piling up of numerous annoyances known as headache triggers. When a migraineur’s “stack” of irritants reaches their threshold point, head pain begins. One of the most influential triggers that I have found in my patients who experience migraines is upper neck dysfunction. Muscle spasms, joint restrictions, and disc bulging plays a critical role in producing head pain—especially in those who report neck pain/tension prior to the onset of their migraine.
SE: What is the light show that some sufferers report?
LM: Many migraineurs report seeing flashes of light or jagged, kaleidoscope-like defects in their visual fields for up to 60 minutes before their head pain begins. Others lose part of their visual field, and a few even become temporarily blinded! This “light show” and “curtain call” is known as the visual aura phase of a migraine. This condition is the result of increased electrical activity sweeping across the brain’s surface, followed by a decreased electrical charge.
Accompanying these electrical changes is a brief period of increased brain blood flow, followed by a drop in blood flow. The bright lights seen by a migraineur are the result of the initial increase in electrical brain activity, and the visual loss is the result of the subsequent drop in electrical energy. Here’s something interesting: you can have a migraine with aura, but never get head pain—only visual disturbances. This is known as an ocular migraine.
SE: What if someone says, “I’ve been to several doctors and it’s not helped!”? Why should they try your approach?
LM: Medical doctors specialize in medicine. They analyze blood and vital signs, and they prescribe medication. This has long been the traditional approach to headaches and migraines.
In my book, Overcoming Headaches and Migraines, I educate people that there is a non-traditional, non-medicinal approach to curing chronic head pain, namely by addressing the neck component, or trigger. I provide self-treatment methods as well as description of specific manual (hands-on) therapy treatment techniques that need to be employed in order to free people from a life of pain and medication.
SE: Can headache sufferers expect a cure, or a temporary fix?
LM: In twenty years of treating patients with headaches and migraines I can only name one person who did not experience a complete cure. That is the very reason why I was compelled to write this book. Millions of people are needlessly following along with traditional head pain management, when they could be working toward a cure! In my book you’ll read story after story of my patients who have been released from their head pain sentences to live a life free from head pain.
SE: How does stress affect/cause headaches?
LM: Most obviously, emotional stress increases the tone in your shoulder, neck, head, and face muscles. Muscular trigger points (which are discussed in detail in the book) can refer pain into the head and face regions. Increased stress also elevates blood pressure which directly affects the blood vessels within and around your brain.
Another result of emotional stress is the release of “stress chemicals” which bathe your brain in a sort of stress- soup concoction. And remember, if your brain is a ‘sensitive guy’ to begin with, the physical and chemical fallout from emotional stress could be the final trigger needed to push you beyond your headache threshold.
SE: Are there other triggers?
LM: Triggers come in many forms. We have already discussed the triggers of neck dysfunctions and emotional stress—but as the screaming commercial announcer says: “But wait…there’s more! Sleep deprivation (less than 7 hours per night), hunger, loud noise, bright lights, older computer monitor (which flash “undetectably” as they refresh the screen), and certain foods have also come under scrutiny.
SE: Yeah, what about those food sensitivities? Is this fact or fiction?
LM: There are entire books written about how to discover and eliminate foods which may act as your headache triggers. The most common culprits are red wine, chocolate, aged cheeses or meats, foods high in nitrates (bacon, hot dogs, certain lunch meats), and MSG-laden items such as Chinese food, canned soups, frozen meals. The reason I spend little time in my book addressing this traditionally “big” issue is because after I remove what I believe to be the much bigger issue—neck dysfunction—from my patients, all those food triggers that used to be a problem for them no longer stack high enough to produce a migraine.
SE: Where can people find out more about your books and speaking?
LM: I hope your readers will be blessed by all the resources available for them on my website: http://www.RestoringYourTemple.com. There they will find my books, downloadable headache charts and trackers, ergonomic products, Quick Tips, a BMI calculator, and more!
They can contact me directly at mailto:Lisa@RestoringYourtemple.com to inquire about my upcoming speaking schedule.
SE: You’re a writer, speaker, professor, and you practice PT. How do you avoid getting a migraine with such a full schedule?
LM: Great question, Suzie! I try my best to only wear one professional hat on a given day—although occasionally my worlds do collide. I also make sure I am finished with work by the time my teenagers get home from school, and then I put on my mom and wife hat for the rest of the day!
As a physical therapist I would be remiss not to mention that physical exercise (three times a week, for me) is important because it helps me to keep my stress level down and my strength and endurance levels up…And lastly, but most importantly, I begin each day with a prolonged time of prayer and Bible study—this keeps me grounded, fueled, and focused in all that I do.
SE: What is a perfect down day for such a busy woman?
LM: Oh, I just love people—and writing sadly does not include anyone but myself! So my perfect day off would include three things: a good friend, a cup of tea, and a warm, sunshine-filled day so we could walk, bike, or play tennis together.
Leave your comment for a chance to win an autographed copy of Lisa’s book! If you have questions, ask them.
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oh wow! What an article. I have suffered from migraines since I was able to tell my parents my head hurt. They have not gotten better throughout the years. I actually woke up with one yesterday morning. They can be horrible! I will definitely look for this book!
February 4th, 2010 at 7:55 amThanks for posting this Suzie! Anytime I’ve ever got a migraine it has shut me down for pretty much the whole day. I’ll definitely be reading this book!
February 4th, 2010 at 9:40 amThank you Suzie! I have suffered from a chronic migraine for many years. I take preventative medicine everyday. It was a 3 month wait with a migraine before meds took affect after tests were run. I’m trying to get off my meds now because I’m newly divorced and won’t have affordable insurance soon. I’m healthier now, watch my diet and get more exercise. It sounds like this book is the help I need to finally get rid of my chronic pain.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:52 amI have been looking for alternatives to Imitrex for migraines and very interested in the book. Thanks for this interview.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:25 amLike the other comments, I too am a migraine suffer. I have been seperated for over a year, working two jobs and it seems that on those days where I have to work 12 hours or more, the migraines set in. I take the Rx and try to work my neck but the only solution is a dark room and sleep on top of those things. This book sounds like it is Heaven sent.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:45 amI will definitely be purchasing this book. Migraines have been part of my life for years and the search for natural ways to combat them is ongoing. For me, consistent exercise (which includes specific shoulder and neck stretches) helps immensely. Thanks for doing research in this area!
February 4th, 2010 at 11:49 amI have suffered with headaches since I was young girl. I had heard of this book title and wondered if it was good. Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
February 4th, 2010 at 12:48 pmPearls
I’ve been getting a lot of headaches lately and I knew it was because of stress, and from being hunched over the computer for several hours a day, but I really liked this article. Thanks for sharing with us!
February 4th, 2010 at 1:08 pmI am so impressed with this interview because her approach for a relief from migraines goes deeper than what physicians can offer. I agree it’s time we step out of the box and move away from traditional approaches of midicine as a cure-all. I was even more impressed by Lisa’s way of handling her own life’s pressures–wearing one hat per day! This is a woman who clearly has boundaries which includes consulting the “Master” Physician daily. Way to go Lisa! Anyone who takes the time to get empowered by God is worth advising me as well!
February 4th, 2010 at 1:23 pmSuzie, thanks for the great interview. And, Lisa, congratulations on your latest book!! It just went on my “list”!
February 4th, 2010 at 3:37 pmHormones also trigger migraines. Any ideas for that?
February 4th, 2010 at 4:54 pmThank you so much for all this great information. this book will be such a great help to so many people.
February 4th, 2010 at 5:55 pmWith my patients who only experienced “hormonal migraines”–my treatment was the same. Once I cleared out their neck problems, their hormonally triggered migraines were a thing of the past!
February 4th, 2010 at 6:10 pmThank you so much for this information. As a PT myself and a migraine sufferer I can truly attest the frustrations I found in the medical community. I look forward to reading your book and sharing the insight with my patients as well.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:29 pmi am looking forward to reading this as i’ve dealt with headaches off and on over the years – thanks for sharing!
February 4th, 2010 at 6:36 pmI thought my migraines were “all the above” but they were not. Please let people know of ACM – Chiari Malformations. So many people have them and suffer with headaches, fatigue and other symptoms for years before getting surgery (the only solution). An MRI from my Neurologist and Neurosurgeon is how they detect it. I tried in vain for years to control my diet, my stress, etc. and if I had just gone to the Neuro we might have found this years ago. You have great information, but I just wanted to add this information to it.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:37 pmThank you for this article! Thanking God, I have never had a migraine headache but know many friends who do. Though I pray for them, I have always wondered if there was anything more I could do. Now I know – I’m sending them the links provided in this article and am praying they will buy this book and follow through. God Bless!
February 4th, 2010 at 8:31 pmI appreciate this and intend to check out your website. I used to have hormonal migraines, but no longer. We have also done food elimination to control headaches. I am extremely interested in the other connected issues. Thanks for this interview.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:49 pmI have not suffered from a migraine in several years, but I had horrible ones as a child & young adult. Thanks for the interview!
February 4th, 2010 at 9:43 pmI would love to receive this book to give to my sister who suffers with headaches/migraines quite regularly. They will knock her down for days and so far we haven’t found anything that works on a regular basis! I’d love to share your book with her! God Bless!
February 4th, 2010 at 9:44 pmI have suffered from migraines all of my adult life. My mother also has and now all 3 of my children do. I have been to neurologists and have been put on a preventative medicine, they have also started one of my daughters on this, she didn’t like it and went off. I also go to acupuncture once a week, it has really helped. I am really excited about your book. God Bless
February 4th, 2010 at 10:04 pmI have a friend that has migraines all the time and it is hard for me understand because I have a headache about once a month and there are very mild. When my friend has one just one look at her and you know instantly and there is nothing you can do to help her. Your book sounds very interesting.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:56 pmWe have a family history of migraines and headaches. My mother had migraines since she was young. My sister gets migraines, I have chronic headaches – though they are less often now with regular chiropractor visits – and my daughter also gets headaches and occasional migraines. I’m always looking for more natural ways to treat illnesses, etc. I was very happy to find this article and would love to have the book.
February 5th, 2010 at 12:43 amI know someone who suffers from headaches often; I’d love to pass on your wisdom. Thanks for sharing through your book! I will pass on the title/author.
February 5th, 2010 at 8:56 ammigraines run in my family and i have a good friend who has been suffering from them all week. i have got to get this book! thank you for the info.
February 5th, 2010 at 7:12 pmWe are beginning to think our son (12yo) is having migranes. (he is actually in bed right now w/what I suspect to be one) I am so interested in this book! He doesn’t have the “light show” though. But light does bother him. At first we thought he suffered from motion sickness as he told us before he would get car sick, he gets a bad headache. Now we are wondering if it was actually migranes all along. He has gotten bad headaches at home w/nauseousness. He sleeps, wakes up and has a residual headache. Does this line up w/migranes? Would love to win this book by the way!
February 6th, 2010 at 11:51 amThis was a great article. Thank you for sharing from your experiences. I think there are times when we women all get severe headaches, whether they are from stress, hormones, etc. This book would be a great resource. You have probably already had the book giveaway, so I may have to go & look this one up myself!!! Have a great week!
May 10th, 2010 at 3:44 amGreat book, can’t wait to try the suggestions in the book to see if they work for me. Migraines have been a horrible part of my life since I hit puberty. My sisters and father also suffer from them, I sent them each a link to your site and am going to have them read the book too. Thank you.
June 19th, 2010 at 10:17 pm