Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> A circulatory technique
        
(Message started by: Charlie on Oct 31^st, 2002, 2:15am)

Title: A circulatory technique
Post by Charlie on Oct 31^st, 2002, 2:15am

Dr. Wright's Circulatory Technique

This is not transcendental meditation, imagery, relaxation, or anything psychic. It's entirely physical and takes a lot of work and concentration. Give this method a good workout. It’s not a miracle, but it’s been very helpful to many.

When I was diagnosed, my neurologist said to treat this as a vascular problem. I was told to concentrate on “redirecting” blood circulation in order to retard flow to the head. This is done by trying to “send” blood into the arms and hands or other extremities. When properly done, your hands will become warm and redder with increased circulation. I also found it easier to concentrate on one hand.

This relieves just slightly, the pressure on the affected vessel, which indirectly causes our pain. We all have this ability but it can be exhausting. I was often able shorten my attacks from about half an hour to no more than a few minutes. Sometimes, when awake, I could entirely abort the attack IF I KEPT AT IT. I would suffer only minor discomfort instead of excruciating pain. Do not stop just because your hands are warm or redder. Keep this up until you are sure it's subsided. If you let up or lose concentration, it’s very hard to restart this process. It may take some time for this to take hold but when this works, the relief is almost immediate.

I learned this from the doctor in a few minutes. He simply told me to concentrate on keeping blood away from the head. He thought the easiest is the arms and hands but any place that works for you is fine. He said to think of it as "filling your hands" with redirected blood. It’s important to keep at it THROUGH the pain. This will be difficult, but it’s the only way this technique will work. I like to keep at it a few minutes longer than seems necessary to insure success.

This will not always work, but I think it will always have at least some effect on the severity and duration of the attacks. It can be useful between medications or while waiting for some other drug to take effect. All it takes is a little practice. It was fairly easy to learn and what I'm writing here is more than I got from the doctor, as I've drawn from my own experience.

When awakened in horrible pain, it’s very hard to focus, but I think it’s always worth a try. This costs nothing but hard work, is harmless, non-invasive, and it gives us a fighting chance.

I wish you the best of luck - Charlie Strand

Title: Re: A circulatory technique
Post by David Shea on Oct 31^st, 2002, 2:34am

Charlie-This is a great post, I've tryed and will try more
but the pain is very bad and I'm mostly concertrating on breathing. I just got hit very hard. thankful it did not last
very long.
David- And Thanks again

Title: Re: A circulatory technique
Post by dtruett on Nov 3^rd, 2002, 8:20am

Thanks for the tip and thanks for topnoodle for diirecting me here. David, I too have trouble with the breathing thing. When I get to a 7 or higher on my own scale, which is a little more severe than the Kip scale, my breathing gets pretty much out of control, hyperventilating and such. I will try this technique as best I can. Somewhere in my ch.com printouts was a suggestion for rubbing between the thumb and the index finger. My girlfriend wants to do this all of the time, but it just hurts. Sometimes another hurt is and OK distraction, sometimes an annoyance. Thaks for the hint.

Title: Re: A circulatory technique
Post by Jarvis on Nov 3^rd, 2002, 9:49am

Charlie. I applaud your methods and am a strong believer in this or any modification that works. Question, do you useother drugs as well? I have either missed or found nothing in your other posts. How long do your HA last....I think that myself and a lot of others would find great interest in your history. I love just buttin in when I can. As I am sure dtruett and david can testify this is the greatest site ever............................hey dtruett its good to see you kickin. I especially like when you dont take no bull from the others. Makes me smile. MJ

Title: Re: A circulatory technique
Post by jonmach on Nov 5^th, 2002, 1:17pm

excelent post i have used this method for a number of years and had good success with it. a great preasure point is between the big toe and second back about an inch. it deals directly with the trigeminal nerve. while you apply preasure you concentrate on blood flow to that area and the hands ..
thanks for the post
Jonmach