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Headaches and Brain Management

The Neuro-chemical Links and Solutions 
By Dr. Dennis Maness

Your head is pounding, your vision is blurred. The lights are suddenly turned up so bright you feel like you are in a spotlight. And why does someone have the volume turned on high? All you can do is to find a quiet place to lay down. You know that no matter who needs you, what deadlines you have, and where you are supposed to be, you won't be there until tomorrow. Oh well, everyone will have to understand, there is nothing you can do about it….it’s another migraine.

Not so fast...
A migraine could be your body’s way of telling you that something more is wrong. Did you know that approximately 1 out of every 10 Americans experience migraines, with women being affected three times more often than men? This vascular headache is most commonly experienced between the ages of 1 and 55, and 70% to 80% of sufferers have a family history of migraine. Symptoms may be, but are not limited to, intense throbbing often on one side of the head only, visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells, stiffness of the neck and shoulders, tingling or stiffness in the limbs, and an inability to concentrate.

A variety of factors can trigger a migraine. Common triggers are stress, hormonal changes, smells, bright light, foods, physical activity, changes in weather, medications, etc.

Other triggers include alteration of sleep-wake cycle; missing or delaying a meal; medications that cause a swelling of the blood vessels; daily or near daily use of medications designed for relieving headache attacks; bright lights, sunlight, fluorescent lights, TV and movie viewing; certain foods; and excessive noise.

Environmental and biological factors—including stress, foods, hormonal changes, or genetics— can cause imbalances in the levels of neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain. These imbalances can trigger or exacerbate migraines.

But that’s not all, even stress and/or underlying depression are triggers that can cause a migraine. Wow, isn’t the body an amazing thing? It can give a clue as obvious as a migraine to remind you that you are forgetting to take care of something very important…YOU! Migraines can prevent you from enjoying your life to the fullest, and anyone who has had a migraine can attest to that! Don’t let something “stop you in your tracks.”

While the root cause of headache problems vary and are complex, two common sources are

• A disorder of the brain's vascular system (migraine headaches), or
• Increased tension of the muscles around the head, face and eyes (tension headaches). Clinical Studies:

A randomized double-blind placebo controlled study by Giessener Beschwerdebogen with a parallel group add-on design and a 12- week treatment phase was conducted in a large outpatient headache clinic in a neurological center. Thirty-two patients with migraines and without any pharmacological migraine prophylaxis in the past three months were studied. The electrophysiological stimulation with sound therapy applied via headphones three sessions daily was compared against a placebo audiotape.

Results.
The results found by Giessener Beschwerdebogen showed that the group which had the electrophysiological stimulation with sound therapy reported fewer headaches and other negative symptoms than the placebo group.

The Neuro Chemical Link to Migraine Headaches:
Research has linked the migraine headaches with imbalances in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters can be measured. At BrainTek^tm Institute we can measure your neurotransmitter activity, map your brain and identify neurotransmitter imbalances which may be contributing to your headaches then develop specific protocols to help you recover. After your neuro-chemical test, we will create with programs that can help tune your brain and return activity to normal.

BrainTek^tm Institute sessions, especially when combined with our relaxation training and other support therapies, have been shown to reduce or eliminate most headache problems. You will also learn which foods are best for neuro chemical balance with BrainTek^tm Institute’s full brain entrainment programs.  Certain medicines (over the counter and prescription) can cause chemical imbalance and the BrainTek^tm Institute protocols bring balance back.  Best yet, you will enjoy relaxing, mind soothing activities all designed to help you back to your best mental and physical health.

Research
BrainTek Institute continues to stay at the cutting edge of brain / body research.  Our research has helped us become successful with  traumatic brain injury, stroke, Attention / Focus and other cognitive challenges.  We are also studying how early detection of irregular brainwave behavior is a valuable predictor of potential challenges.