Perspective on chronic headaches

Imagine suffering chronic pain – say, in the form of headaches or migraines.

Happily, you’ve found a solution to the problem. It has been several months of losing focus, sleep and general interest in the things you used to like. You went to a doctor and he told you an NTI device, which addresses jowl clenching during sleep, will offer immediate relief. Or maybe your family doctor gave you a pain-relief prescription for your headaches.

“As doctors, we like to have answers for our patient’s problems, but misdiagnosis is one of our biggest problems in this country when it comes to chronic pain,” said Dr. Fred Abeles, author of the book “Break Away: The New Method for Treating Chronic Headaches, Migraines and TMJ Without Medication” (www.FredAbeles.com).

“We’re the ‘microwave’ generation and we like our problems to be solved immediately. Our medical profession has responded and is always geared for quick fixes. In reality, treating only the symptoms, and not the root cause, can worsen your problem.”

For one, too many of us ignore the basics of good health, Abeles said.

“A huge volume of health problems would be eliminated if only people learned more about nutrition, modified their diets and got regular exercise each week,” he said. “Cardio three times a week and some strength training – along with a reasonably healthy diet — would help millions tremendously.”

There are many doctors you may see to help with your headache pain, he said, such as ENTs, dentists, neurologists, chiropractors, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) specialists and many more. Ask questions. If a dentist suggests realigning your jaw, for example, you’ll want to make sure a thorough physiological work-up and diagnosis has been completed first. Be discerning. Be informed.

“Most doctors really want to help, but sometimes they’re wrong,” he said. “You have to be your own best health advocate.”

Abeles offers what he calls his The H.E.A.L. Formula™.

• HELP yourself – take control of your outcome. Don’t accept chronic pain as a life sentence and stop taking pills to mask symptoms. When you improve your health, the lives of those around you improve also. There’s more love, happiness and fun for everyone.

• EVERYTHING is connected. The teeth. The joints. The tendons. The ligaments. The jaw. The head. The neck. The muscles. They all have to work together in harmony to not produce pain.

• ALIGN the jaw. Align the bite. When everything is aligned, the muscles are happy. And happy muscles do not create pain.

• LEARN about and utilize the new methods for successfully treating chronic headaches, migraines and TMJ without medication.

“The best time to address your chronic pain and what’s behind it is the first time you experience it,” Abeles said. “But if you’ve endured many months or years of pain – perhaps masking it with prescription drugs – then the second best time to uncover the cause is right now.”