Breaking the Headache Cycle: A Proven Program for Treating and Preventing Recurring Headaches

by Ian Livingstone, Donna Novak

Two headache specialists offer their innovative Headache Reduction Program, for treating and preventing recurring headaches

Twenty-eight million people in the United States suffer from chronic, recurrent, often disabling headaches-half of them forgoing medical attention in favor of analgesics that do nothing to prevent the next one. In Breaking the Headache Cycle , the authors-migraine sufferers themselves-present the integrated Headache Reduction Program (HARP) that they developed at the Princeton Headache Clinic.

Based on the central insights that the predisposition to headaches is a sign of an unusually sensitive nervous system and that drugs are only one component of the most successful treatment plans, this remarkable program instructs readers in a range of techniques,

- how to relieve the pain of migraines
- how to detect and ward off oncoming headaches
- how to prevent migraines from even threatening

The innovative solutions detailed in Breaking the Headache Cycle range from simple breathing exercises and dietary changes to support groups and the latest medications. In this thorough and accessible guide, the authors promise new relief for those already being treated for recurring headaches and for those who currently suffer in silence.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

239 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

This is the disambiguation profile for otherwise unseparated authors publishing as Ian Livingstone

Reviews

[Melissa ♥ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I suffer from chronic migraines. I have since I was about 12 years old. Their frequency, duration, and intensity vary depending upon the current events in my life, but I've never been able to feel like I had any sense of control over them and essentially my life because of them.

From the first page...I kept saying.."Yes..that perfectly describes me" and I was hooked. I could relate to almost everything in the book and it all started coming together for me. Symptoms, triggers, OTC drug dependency, etc...

This book written by medical professionals who are also migraine sufferers - gives me hope. Hope that I can gain back some control...hope that I can reduce the intensity and frequency of my headaches. I definitely reccomend this to anyone that suffers from headaches and truly wants a better understanding of their causes and some simple techniques for taking back one's life.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provided the first simple explanation as to why migraines come in sets, why some triggers work when they do, and why it's so hard to commit to plans. Also provided a great rundown of the available treatments and side effects, and reminders to try biofeedback and how. Everyone who gets them and lives with a sufferer should read it.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you suffer from migraines, this is your book. Really helped me reduce the frequency and intensity of my headaches. Unfortunately, can't eliminate them entirely, but fewer is definitely better.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent book. He explains things in a way that make perfect sense - so logical, practical, etc. Helpful read.