Alternative migraine treatment

Alternative migraine treatment

It was dispiriting, though not surprising, to read in The
Jakarta Post (June 26) that the "migraine market" is not worth
more than one billion dollars to drug companies. There are
several reasons for concern.

First, the drug companies are competing to find another magic
way to ease the symptoms, not a method to eliminate the cause of
migraine.

Second, they are appealing to a public still reluctant to take
personal responsibility for a health problem, preferring instead
to wait for a "cure" from an outside source.

Third, this conditioned apathy tacitly endorses the
drug/medical industries' control over our lives and our health
while they make a huge profit.

Little wonder, as the writer noted, that "posters detailing
alternative treatments... were tucked away into a remote corner
of the conference center" (8th Congress of the International
Headache Society in Amsterdam). Doubtless this is because many
alternative practices/therapies can help patients for a fraction
of the cost of drug therapy while at the same time teaching them
how to take active, effective responsibility for their health
into their own hands.

In my fairly considerable experience in treating chronic and
occasional migraine, the cause (which needs to be established if
a solution is to be found) invariably can be traced back to a
malfunction of the digestive system resulting in elimination
problems (constipation, nervous/irritable bowel syndrome, colitis
etc.) and/or erratic blood sugar levels and/or poor nutrient
absorption. The causes of such malfunction can usually be found
in poor eating habits, and chronic tension. The causes of tension
can be as many and as varied as migraine sufferers themselves but
are often the result of suppressed emotions, most commonly anger,
resentment and anxiety.

I have found that when a pattern of cause and effect is
explained to migraine sufferers and they are guided into correct
nutrition, exercise and relaxation programs, plus counseling to
help process emotional problems, results are usually swift and
lasting. I emphasize that all these procedures can be carried out
without any drug therapy, as long as the patient is willing to
take responsibility for him/herself.

Until each one of us accepts and understands that our health
is a natural birthright and depends absolutely on the quality of
our relationship with ourselves, the drug companies will continue
to make millions from our discomfort -- and we will continue to
get sick and stay sick.

NURHUDA

Jakarta