lotus

previous page: 5.1) Theory of biofeedback
  
page up: Natural Migraine Cures FAQ
  
next page: 5.3) Other Biofeedback

5.2) Handwarming biofeedback




Description

This article is from the Natural Migraine Cures FAQ, by an588@freenet.carleton.ca (Catherine Woodgold) with numerous contributions by others.

5.2) Handwarming biofeedback

Phase I of a migraine is similar to what the body does in
response to fear, though the reaction may have been caused by a
food the person ate rather than by actual fear. In phase I,
blood is reallocated out of the hands and head and into the large
muscles that would be used for running from danger. The hands,
especially the fingertips, become cold when the blood is
withdrawn. The feeling of confusion, or inability to think
clearly, that can accompany phase I is similar to fainting from
fear.

The pain occurs in phase II, when the blood vessels of the head
and neck over-react and re-expand to larger than the normal size.
The headache can be prevented by reducing the severity of phase
I, thus preventing phase II.

The level of the hormones in the blood that contract the blood
vessels, such as serotonin and adrenalin, can be brought under
semi-conscious control. By thinking relaxed thoughts, the
hormone level can be lowered. The serotonin level is monitored
by checking the temperature of the fingertips and hands. During
phase I, first the fingertips and then the hands become cold.
The finger temperature can be checked either with a thermometer,
or by touching the fingertips to your cheeks. If they feel warm
or hot, that's good. They should be at body temperature. If
they're cool or cold, it could be either from being in a cold
room, from poor blood circulation due to diabetes or some other
condition, or from a phase I reaction.

After many attempts of trying to think relaxed thoughts and
checking the finger temperature, a person gradually learns how to
get into the right frame of mind to affect the serotonin levels.
Eventually, a person can decide to warm up the fingers, meditate
for a while, and the fingers become warm. Under a lot of stress,
for example if you're about to speak in front of an audience, it
may be impossible to warm the fingers at that time, though
attempting it may reduce the severity of a migraine later. For
learning, it's best to use a low-stress situation such as sitting
at home.

It normally requires trying several times a day for several
weeks before much progress is made. It helps to keep records of
the finger temperature before and after attempting biofeedback.

A person who has learned biofeedback can become aware of their
finger temperature so that they notice when their hands suddenly
become cold. They can then take a break from stressful
activities, relax until their hands warm up, and prevent a
headache from happening. The feeling of confusion and stress
that usually accompanies phase I can mean that you tend not to
notice things like finger temperature at that time -- you're too
busy thinking about whatever is causing the stress -- but
eventually you can learn to notice it.

Kohlenberg's book [11], which comes with a thermometer, explains
how to do handwarming biofeedback; unfortunately this book seems
to be out of print. It's easier to do biofeedback when combining
it with cognitive therapy (see the psychology section of this FAQ).

 

Continue to:













TOP
previous page: 5.1) Theory of biofeedback
  
page up: Natural Migraine Cures FAQ
  
next page: 5.3) Other Biofeedback