Headache
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Posted: September 01, 2015
Read more »We got this query from a woman who had set up a guided imagery library in the Oncology Department of her hospital, and who is now looking for appropriate titles for the Neurology Department. Here it is:
Question:
Need your guidance Belleruth.
I've set up a guided imagery library @ my cancer hospital unit using your tapes, & now I've been asked by a neurologist for help bringing it to his practice to help migraine, neuropathy, brain tumor patients, etc.
Please provide any suggestions as to which tapes to get for him and his department, as my experience is strictly with cancer, since that is what I have.
And what a miracle your tapes have been in my life, by the way.
Thank you so much.
Dee
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Posted: August 26, 2013
Read more »My 37 year old daughter has suffered from terrible migraine headaches for most of her adult life, at least once or twice a month. She has been conked out on medication more times than I would like to count. The pain of these headaches is so strong that she misses a lot of work. All she can do is stay in bed and lie very still with the shades drawn and no noise. It’s heartbreaking to watch her in so much pain. She is my only child and the mother of my only 2 grandchildren.
I help with the housework and keeping the kids when the headaches come on her (her husband is pretty useless). Mostly it is a waiting game. All we could do was wait for them to go away. -
Posted: June 17, 2013Read more »
Elizabeth got this note from a nurse who’d sustained a concussion that kept her from working, driving or doing two things at once – very frustrating and discouraging, needless to say….
In October of 2012, I sustained a concussion. I couldn't work, drive or multi-task. My thought process was slow and frustrating. A health care professional trained to care for others, I was humbled.After months of slow progress, I turned to guided imagery for help. I found Belleruth's TBI imagery/affirmations immensely comforting and assuring. With repeated use, I was gently guided from a place of despair to one of hope and renewal. "The more I accept what I feel, the more I allow myself to heal."
Thank you for partnering with me on my health journey. I highly recommend this sensitive, well-researched recovery tool.
Jane N., RN, MS -
Posted: May 09, 2013Read more »
Researchers from the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, examined the efficacy of CAM (complementary and alternative) therapies, including mind-body techniques, acupuncture and physical treatments for tension type headaches.
The investigators noted that while pharmacotherapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and tricyclic antidepressants comprise the traditional treatment of tension-type headaches (TTH), the use of other therapeutic approaches, in combination with medications, can increase the success of treatment.The assumption was that especially patients with comorbid mood disorders and frequent headaches might benefit from some of these nonpharmacologic approaches.
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Posted: April 28, 2013Categories: Insomnia, Injuries, Headache, Ask Belleruth, Traumatic Brain Injury, Posttraumatic Stress (PTSD)Read more »
Question:
Dear Belleruth,
I have a son, now 26, who suffered a head injury, while skiing, when he was 18. Physically he is fine but emotionally and psychologically he is still struggling. While he has come a long way, it has been, and continues to be, a painful road (suicide attempt, drug addiction) and unfortunately he is not open to going for help. I was thinking of having him listen to your PTSD CD. I thought I would sit with him the first time that he listened to it, for support. He says he is willing to try it. I wonder if you have any other suggestions.
Thank you,
M. -
Posted: March 17, 2013Read more »
We were copied on this encouraging comment on Face Book – a woman reporting on the value of targeted guided imagery for TBI to someone who, we assume, is struggling with brain injury symptoms:
I wanted to tell you about guided imagery for TBI. I have been using guided imagery CDs personally and professionally for over ten years for stress, insomnia, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, anger, etc. and they are amazing. Belleruth Naparstek has a recent audio recording out for TBI and the vets I see in my counseling practice are having wonderful results. I highly recommend you go to her website and check it out. Love and blessings to you! -
Posted: June 17, 2012Read more »
Question:
Dear Belleruth,
I'm feeling anxious about the economy, worrying about losing my job, my health insurance, etc. etc. I don't want to dwell on this, as I believe that my thoughts could manifest the very events I'm worrying about.
Any tools, affirmations, guided imagery to help with this?Thanks,
Kathy
Answer:Dear Kathy,
I’m so glad you asked this in the way that you did. It gives me a chance to hopefully offer some reassurance and at the same time, rant and carry on about one of my favorite pet peeves.
First off, let me say that I’m sorry you’re faced with these very real concerns. These are dicey times and no way am I minimizing this aspect of your question. A lot of really good, capable people are in this worrisome situation with you. -
Posted: April 22, 2012Read more »
Researchers from Bright Path Yoga in Plano, Texas looked at the efficacy of an 8-week strategy of using yoga and meditation to help manage fibromyalgia symptoms, which typically consist of widespread pain, sleep disturbance, stiffness, fatigue, headache, and mood disorders.
The small pilot study looked at the impact of this program on 11 participants.
Results revealed significant improvement in the overall health status of the participants and in symptoms of stiffness, anxiety, and depression. Significant improvements were also seen in the reported number of days "felt good" and number of days "missed work" because of fibromyalgia. -
Posted: October 29, 2011Read more »
Iranian researchers from Isfahan University, Arak University and Shafa Hospital investigated the efficacy of guided imagery and meditating on a happy memory for relieving the intensity, frequency and duration of chronic tension-type headaches.
Sixty people, all receiving individualized headache therapy, were randomly assigned to one of three groups of 20. One arm listened to a guided imagery audiotape 3 times/week for 3 weeks; one arm imagined their happiest personal memory 3 times/week for 3 weeks; and one group received treatment as usual.
Subjects completed a demographic questionnaire and kept a headache diary.
In three of the outcome measures; headache intensity, headache frequency and headache duration – both guided imagery groups (tape and perceived happy memory) had significantly more improvement than the controls. There were no significant differences between the two kinds of guided imagery groups at any time point.The investigators conclude that guided imagery may be an effective, available and affordable nonpharmacological therapy, either using a tape or by evoking a perceived happy memory, for the management of chronic tension type headaches.
Citation: Abdoli S, Rahzani K, Safaie M, Sattari A. A randomized controlled trial: the effect of guided imagery with tape and perceived happy memory on chronic tension type headache. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. 2011 Oct 10. [Epub ahead of print] -
Posted: January 30, 2011Read more »
My 37 year old daughter has suffered from terrible migraine headaches for most of her adult life, at least once or twice a month. She’s been conked out on medication more times than I’d like to count. The pain of these headaches is so strong that she misses a lot of work. All she can do is stay in bed and lie very still with the shades drawn and no noise. It’s heartbreaking to watch her in so much pain. She is my only child and the mother of my only 2 grandchildren.
I help with the housework and keeping the kids when the headaches come on her (her husband is pretty useless, but that’s a whole different topic for another day). Mostly it’s a waiting game. All we could do was wait for them to go away.
About 2 months ago a nurse friend who works at the hospital with me told me about guided imagery and suggested I get one for my daughter. She said that if she listened regularly and taught herself how to relax with them, it could improve her condition. She wasn’t sure, because she mostly used them with cancer patients, but she said she was under the impression that it could maybe help with headaches too.
