Migraines

Pediatric migraine headaches are recurrent headaches, often associated with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light (photophobia), and sensitivity to sound (phonophobia). While a lower percentage of children under 7 years old are afflicted, up to 11% of 7 to 15-year-olds suffer from migraines. They can be quite debilitating, causing children to miss school and significantly compromising the quality of their lives. Some patients experience an aura prior to their headaches. An aura is a signal to them that the migraine is going to occur relatively soon. An aura may involve visual disturbances, such as flashing lights, or blurred vision.

Traditional treatment includes medication to treat an active migraine (symptomatic), a migraine that is about to occur (abortive), and long-term medication used to prevent migraines (prophylactic). These medications do not always work and some have significant side effects. The side effects for symptomatic medications are usually sedation, or sleepiness. For abortive medications, side effects may include nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. For prophylactic medications, side effects may include dry mouth, sedation or sleepiness, weight gain, and cardiac complications, including an arrhythmia.

The technique of self-hypnosis has been shown to be extremely effective not only in the treatment of migraines in children and adolescents, but also in preventing them. With self-hypnosis, one uses the same techniques as in biofeedback, only without having to hook the patient up to a machine.

Dr. A. David Rothner, pediatric neurologist at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, internationally known for his expertise in childhood migraine, has stated, “Non-pharmacologic measures such as biofeedback, counseling, and stress reduction are often beneficial as both abortive and preventative strategy.” (Family Practice Review, February, 2002)

Studies have shown repeatedly that the use of self-hypnosis decreases the frequency, duration, and intensity of the headaches, thereby decreasing the amount of pain medication required for them. Furthermore, in patients who exhibit an aura before their migraines (an aura is the signal that a migraine is coming on), the aura can be used as a signal to use the technique of self-hypnosis in order to abort the migraine. And, if a migraine does occur, patients can use self-hypnosis to decrease the discomfort and often make it go away completely, in a relatively short period of time.

Typically, there is dramatic improvement after two or three visits. Studies have demonstrated 35% to 100% improvement, lasting at least one year. This technique involves no medication and therefore no side effects.

During self-hypnosis, children and adolescents learn that they can teach their brains to talk to their bodies to get even better control over those migraines.

Why depend on medication?
For children and adolescents, self-hypnosis has been shown to be extremely effective not only in treating migraines, but also in preventing and aborting them. Self-hypnosis uses the same techniques as in biofeedback, without the patient being hooked up to a machine. During self-hypnosis, patients learn that they can teach their brains to talk to their bodies to gain even better control over the migraines.

Studies show that self-hypnosis decreases the frequency, duration and intensity of migraine headaches, thereby decreasing the amount of pain medication required. Even more importantly, the technique can also be used to abort migraines. Patients who experience an aura before their migraines (signaling that a migraine is coming on) can use the aura as a signal to begin the technique of self-hypnosis, effectively avoiding the headache. If a migraine does occur, patients can use self-hypnosis to decrease or eliminate the pain quickly.

Results: Typically, dramatic improvement occurs after two or three visits. Studies have demonstrated 35 percent to 100 percent improvement, lasting at least one year.

Max's story
Max, Dr. Lazarus' youngest migraine patient, was five years old and suffered from debilitating headaches that would occur about once a week and last all day. He described the pain like a tornado inside his head. After working with Dr. Lazarus once, he was able to control the headaches and did not need to return for subsequent visits. The headaches still come from time to time, but Max uses self-hypnosis to avoid the pain.

“It takes a while to get the effects, but the results are good. It really, really relaxes you, even in a tight spot. I really hope people try this technique and if not, they are missing out on something they might really need.” — Max

“All doubt as to if it works or not left me when I saw my son take control of something that had control of him. I was so proud of him and I will be forever grateful to Dr. Lazarus for caring enough about my son the share this gift with him.” — Max's mother

Sam's story
“I had migraines once a day with a really bad one maybe twice a month. Ever since I went through these courses, I haven't had a migraine. Dr. Lazarus has really helped me out a lot.”

— Sam , who was 12 years old when he saw Dr. Lazarus for migraines

“I never knew how much Sam was in pain. He blocked it out of his life. When we went through the hypnosis, and he got down on the chair, I had never seen him so relaxed. The self-hypnosis worked. He doesn't have migraines anymore, and it's actually helped me, too. Being in those sessions with him has helped me to relax, as well.”

— Sam 's mother

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