Biofeedback Solutions

As has been noted elsewhere, Biofeedback can help make unconscious physical responses conscious. It does this through the use of electronic instruments that measure a variety of physiological responses. Biofeedback is particularly useful for chronic headaches, either Tension Headaches or Migraine Headaches.

Relaxation in the case of headaches can be confusing since many people report sudden migraines upon  relaxing. It is not uncommon for a person who is prone to headaches to experience a sever headache when they finally get a weekend off or suddenly relax with a session in a hot tub. While this may be confusing to headache sufferers and may lead them to think that relaxation should be avoided, this is not confusing to those who treat headaches by teaching relaxation skills.

Migraines are thought to occur with a sudden dilating of the blood vessels associated with the brain. Tension, caffeine and stress tends to  constrict these same blood vessels. So, when a person who is prone to migraines suddenly relaxes after being tense for a period of time, there is a sudden dilation of these blood vessels which leads to a migraine. The actual remedy for this is to not allow such strong constrictions to occur due to stress and tension so when normal relaxation is experienced there is not such a large contrast between the constriction and the dilation.

Biofeedback is useful in this process.  By learning how to stay relaxed during work, school and with the normal stresses of living the over constriction of the blood vessels associated with migraine headache can be avoided so the over dilation does not occur.