Chronic headache pain: The case of Melinda W.


Chronic pain, Headaches, Neuromuscular therapy / Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

headacheA 38 year old fit mother of two little ones was referred by a professional acquaintance to my Neuromuscular Therapy center near Boston for treatment of twelve years of chronic headaches. There had been no accident or initiating event. They had come on insidiously and had grown steadily worse to the point that the quality of her life was being seriously affected. She had a close and supportive family, two wonderful children, a happy marriage, and opportunity to pursue personal interests and friendships. She had chosen to interrupt a stimulating career to raise a family and took satisfaction in being a good mother. She had a wonderful life except for those debilitating headaches!

She had been to a lot of doctors, tried drugs, acupuncture, massage, mind-body intervention, physical therapy, meditation, yoga, biofeedback, Botox injections, and nerve block injections. Nothing had helped for long and she was stressed, sleep deprived, depressed and emotional. With my training and eighteen years of experience, I was able to suggest a few other things she might try and to treat her with Neuromuscular Techniques. She had the courage to step out of the traditional box and follow up on my suggestions, be consistent in her self-care and to touch places that hurt both physically and emotionally. After a year and a half, Melinda has found the relief she was seeking. She has her life back!