CASE STUDY “Sandy”
• Information gathered at the evaluation:
Sandy had severe headaches for many years. She had tried “everything” and nothing provided lasting relief. She had grown children and was the primary caretaker for a disabled relative. She had what she described as a “background” headache just about everyday and migraines and tension headaches several times a week. She was aware that she clenched her teeth at night but didn’t think she did during the day.
Sandy had a very active life in spite of her chronic headaches. She reported that she would often override how badly she felt in order to get things done. Her description of herself revealed that she had very high expectations of herself and put everyone needs ahead of her own.
• Beginning-her headache frequency was a low grade headache just about everyday and migraines 3-4 per week.
• Midway-here headache frequency- 3 in one week. After the first session Sandy noticed that her shoulders were always “up around her ears” when she checked. But, although she knew she clenched her teeth at night she steadfastly denied doing it during the day. As she approached the 5 session, she was picking up on how here body was responding to stress and was noticing fewer headaches of less intensity. She also noticed that during a week long visit from a favorite relative, she was headache free!
• End- here headache frequency- only 2 headaches in two weeks. Sandy realized at the next to last session that she was clenching her teeth during the day particularly while at the computer. Not only that, she noticed that her jaw muscles were sore most of the time which is a sure indication of clenching. She was amazed that she could be experiencing so much discomfort without “realizing it”. After becoming aware of this daytime habit, she was able to notice much quicker when she was clenching and was able to stop. It didn’t take long for this habit to reverse itself. For her, it now felt uncomfortable to clench and normal not to.
The type of headaches that respond the best are tension or migraine headaches that are more frequent that once a month. Cluster headaches, and constant headaches are not as responsive to this approach. Despite that, Sandy was able to significantly reduce the frequency, duration and intensity of her headaches. Because the our natural approach is a training, not a cure, as long as Sandy applies what she has learned she can expect to continue to have fewer and fewer headaches because she is now in charge of her headache prevention.
