If you’ve ever had to deal with chronic headaches, you know what to expect when one hits. Opening your eyes, standing up, and even eating becomes virtually impossible. Headaches can be debilitating and last from a few hours to a few days. Boy, do I wish I’d discovered this headache tool way back when…but I’m skipping ahead. We’ll get to that soon enough.
My life with headaches started when I was a sophomore in high school, aka a few years back. ;) At the time the docs ruled out migraines and labeled them stress-tension headaches. I had some medication that helped, but only if I took it soon enough. While I try to avoid that sort of treatment whenever possible, in the moment, I truly just want the pain to stop. There’s a time and place for everything, yes?
Luckily, my parents realized the positive effect that chiropractic care can have on your overall health, including headache relief. Getting an adjustment often did the trick for me, but this wasn’t always the answer back then—or even today. Still, an adjustment is the first thing I try whenever possible. (Darn those Saturday and Sunday headaches!)
Over the years my headaches have both lessened and changed. I rarely get those same old stress-tension headaches, which is a welcome relief. As a result of working with our clinical nutritionist, I came to recognize that, for a certain period of time, my headaches were related to food sensitivities I’d developed. Problem foods eliminated, headaches gone. Then, some time later, my headaches returned. After tracking them, we realized they were related to the approach of my cycle, or PMS. Increased red meat and specific minerals as that day of the month approached, headaches gone.
Rather than just mask my symptoms in the moment, these solutions identified the root cause of my headaches. I was so grateful to be working with someone who could help me figure out what my body needed. And it was so interesting to come to the understanding that not all headaches are created equal—different causes require different remedies.
Being a self-healther, I like to arm myself with tools that I can reach for when I need to figure something out with regards to my health or the health of anyone I care about. It’s empowering to be able to note a recurring symptom, refer to the resources in my self-health library, keep notes on what I’m experiencing, and go to my next appointment with our nutritionist (or other holistic health care providers) armed with the facts I need for an informed, astute discussion. Knowledge is power. Plus, it helps you get to the solution faster. J
Until recently, I hadn’t found a good resource specifically for headaches. Because they’re such a common condition for so many people, I was thrilled to get my hands on the Headaches by Type booklet from Selene River Press. While it’s directed at practitioners, this booklet is simple enough that even us laypeople and self-healthers can understand the message.
This six-page booklet breaks down fourteen types of headaches by their usual patterns and includes notes on dietary suggestions. Lastly,
it lists the nutritional supplements that tend to offer the support and relief the body needs to heal the root cause.
The Usual Patterns section is a great place for self-healthers to think about what to look for and make a note of when a headache strikes. It could take a little time, but if you suffer from recurring headaches, you’ll be glad you did. And you can probably eliminate a few patterns quickly, based on your situation. For example, a man won’t need to deal with an Ovarian-type headache. Heck, as soon as you start reading the descriptions, your intuition might give you a pretty good idea about where to start.
Once you’ve narrowed down which headache type you think you’re dealing with, try making some of the changes listed under the Notes column. This can include dietary suggestions like eliminating or including specific foods as well as lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise or (in the case of Environmental Allergy & Sensitivity-type headaches) installing a HEPA air filter in your home.
As you’re making these changes and seeing results (and relief), get in touch with your health care provider to discuss the Nutritional Adjuncts column. Bring the booklet with you so they can see the tool you’ve used to discover the cause of your headaches and ask if they think the nutritional supplementation would be an added benefit. It’s okay to not go into your appointment blind.
And if you don’t already have one, find a practitioner well-versed in the SP product line.
If you or someone you love has been coping with headaches, the nominal fee you’d pay for the knowledge in the Headaches by Type booklet is beyond worth it. Order your copy now.
Paula Widish, author of Trophia: Simple Steps to Everyday Self-Health, is a freelance writer and self-healther. She loves nothing more than sharing tidbits of information she discovers with others. (Actually, she loves her family more than that—and probably bacon too.) Paula has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Public Relations and is a Certified Professional Life Coach through International Coach Academy.
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