Headaches & Migraines

Headache Worksheet

It's amazing what one can do for headaches of all types once you have fully described what you are experiencing and have determined the core cause and the best treatments for them.

This is the worksheet I have developed over the years that has helped countless clients in my own practice. I hope you see things on this page that will help you. If you'd like additional help, feel free to call or email me and schedule an appointment. (Tell me you specifically want to work on your headache issue.)

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The worksheet is divided into several extensive categories and includes:

	What causes your headache to come on?
	When does the headache happen?
	Where does the pain start and extend to?
	Characterization of the pain.
	Things or experiences that happen with my headache.
	When does the pain seem worse?
	When does it feel better?
	Types of headaches I usually experience are:
	Common causes of headaches.
	Foods and chemicals commonly associated with headaches.
	Treatments for headaches including natural and allopathic forms.
	Supplements that may be useful for your headache treatment.
	Herbs that help headaches.
	Aromatherapies that help headaches.
	Homeopathics that help headaches.
	Other alternative therapies for headaches.
	"Real" drugs used in the treatment of headaches/pain.

What causes your headache to come on?

Altitude, High	Hat Pressure	Riding Against Wind
Bathing	Hemorrhage	Riding in Cars
Beer	Hemorrhoids	Sexual Excitement
Bright' Disease	Ice Cream	Sleeping in Dampness
Candy/Sweets	Ice Water	Spinal Disease
Catarrh (mucous)	Influenza	Stomach Pain
Catarrh, suppressed	Ironing	Sunlight or Heat
Coffee	Lemonade/Wine	Suppressed Emotions/Eruptions
Constipation	Liver Disease	Suppressed Breathing
Dancing	Loss of Sleep	Syphilis
Diarrhea	Lumbago-Back pain	Tea
Exhaustion	Malaria	Tobacco
Eye Strain	Mental Exertion	Trauma
Fasting	Mercury Fumes	Uremia (Kidney)
Gastro-Intest. Probs	Narcotics Abuse	Uterine Disease
Haircuts	Nervous Exhaustion	Vaccinations
Hard Liquor	Over Lifting	Weather Changes

When does the headache happen?

	When you are anemic?
	When the barometer changes quickly?
	When you have stomach problems?
	If female, when you have your period?
	If female, do they cycle with your periods?
	When you are nervous?
	Are your headaches associated with weather changes?
	Does the headache come on, peak then gradually go?
	Does the headache come on gradually?
	Does emotional upset bring a headache on?
	Do they happen when you feel congested?
	Do you have a history of having kidney problems?
	Associated with gouty arthritis?
	Are your headaches chronic?
	Are you in school?
	Are you over the age of 65?
	Would you consider yourself a sedentary person?
	If female, have you had a hysterectomy?

Where does the pain start and extend to?

	Along the sutures of the head
	Back and neck
	Back of head (base of head or occiput)
	Behind the eyes Left Right or Both?
	Ear to ear in line with the temples
	Front extending to eyes, root of nose, or face
	Frontal
	Frontal extending to back of head, neck or spine
	On one side only Left Right (Circle which one)
	On the crown of the head
	On the temples
	Other:

Characterization of the pain:

	Dull, aching		Every 8th day
	Boring, digging		Every week or two
	Bruised, battered, sore		Every two to three weeks
	Burning, hot		Every 6 weeks
	Bursting, splitting		Last days with pain flux
	Constrictive, band-like		Piercing as from a nail
	Distensive, full		Pressing
	Drawing		Pressing like a vice
	Electric like stabbing		Pressing in small spots
	Excruciating, violent		Shifting
	Heaviness		Shooting
	Periodic and intermittent:		Stinging
	Alternating days		Stitching or sticking
	Every third day		Stupefying
	Every 7th day		Throbbing, pulsating, hammering or pulsating

Things or experiences that happen with my headaches include:

	Abdominal Pain		Hunger
	Alternating Back Pain		Sharp Low Rib Pain Rt Side
	Anguish		Irritability
	Anxiety		Liver Problems
	Arteries Throb		Talking Excessively
	Back of Head is Sore		Muscles Sore
	Bad Breath		Nausea
	Blindness		Nose is Dry
	Bowel Problems		Nosebleeds
	Can't Hear		Not Thinking Straight
	Cold Hands/Feet		Numbness
	Coldness in Back of Head		Overly Sensitive
	Colic		Pain in Low Back
	Constipation		Pain in the Limbs
	Cough		Profuse Sweating
	Delirium		Respiratory Problems
	Depression		Restlessness
	Diarrhea		Roaring in the Ears
	Dizziness or Vertigo		Salivating Excessively
	Ears Burn		Scalp Feels Bruised
	Emotional Excitement		Scotoma(DarkVisionAreas)
	Empty Feeling in Stomach		Sexual Excitement
	Exhaustion		Sleeplessness
	Eyelids Feel Heavy		Symptoms vary or not there
	Eyes Feel Big		Sore, Painful Eyes

	Eyes Feel Heavy		Spine Burns
	Eyes Feel Injected		Stitching Pain in Ears
	Face Feels Flushed/Hot		Stomach Pain
	Face is Pale		Tearing of Eyes
	Faintness		Temporal Veins Engorged
	Fever		Thirst Increases
	Flatulence		Tingling Lips, Tongue,Nose
	Gouty nodules on Scalp		Tongue is Coated
	Hair Falls Out		Toothaches
	Head is Retracted		Urinate w/ Increased Freq.
	Head Nods		Vision Returns Afterward
	Heart Beats Harder		Visual Disturbances
	Heart Palpitations (define)		Vomiting
	Hemorrhoids		Yawning

When does the pain seem worse?

	Certain times of day:		When Riding in Cars
	After Sleep		When Rising Up in Bed
	With Certain Drugs		When Sitting
	At Night		When Stooping Over
	At Noon		When Talking
	During Menses		When Waking + Opening Eyes
	In the Morning		When Walking
	In the Open Air		Working in the Dark
	In the Winter Months		With Stimulant Abuse
	Walking to a Higher Place		With Bright Objects
	When Angry		With Certain Odors
	When Bending Head Back		With Drafty Cold Air
	When Closing Teeth		With Light
	When Concentrating Hard		With Mental Exertion
	When Coughing		With Jarring Motions
	When Drinking Coffee		With Motion
	When Drinking Milk		With Muscular Strain
	When Drinking Wine		With Narcotics
	When Eating		With Noise
	When Hearing Clocks		With Nosebleeds
	When in Warm Areas		With Over Heating
	During a Bowel Movement		With Physical Exertion
	When Laying Down		With Pressure
	Laying on Pained Side		With Sunshine
	Laying on Right Side		With the Sight of Water

	Laying on Back of Head		With Touch
	Laying on Left Side		With Weather Changes
	When Moving Eyes

When does it feel better?

	After Rising		When Stooping
	During Menses		When Talking
	During Mental Exertion		With Colder Environments
	In the Open Air		When Thinking of Pain
	Partially Closing My Eyes		Turning Head Forward
	Upon Raising the Head		Uncovering the Head
	Bending my Head Back		When Urinating
	Bending my Head Forward		Bandaging/WrappingHead
	When Closing my Eyes		With Nose Bleeds
	When Eating		With Gentle Motion
	With a Bowel Movement		With Hard Continued Motion
	With Hands on/near Head		With Pressure
	When in a Dark Room		With Quiet Rest
	When Lying Down		With Rubbing
	When Lying on Painful Side		With Semi-Erect Posture
	Above + Head Elevated		With Sleep
	Above + Head Lowered		With Coffee/Stimulants
	When Perspiring		With Tea
	When Smoking		With Warmth in General

Types of headaches I usually experience are:

	Cluster (Vascular)
	Migraines
	Pinpoint
	Sinus
	Stress and Tension

Common causes of headaches.

	Aneurysm		Intense Anger
	Anxiety		Liver Disease
	Barometric Changes		Menstruation
	Birth Control Pills		Muscle Tension
	Bladder Problems		Not Validating the Self
	Brain Tumors		Not Going w/ Flow of Life
	Control Issues		Not on God Path
	Dehydration		Over Work
	Emotional Let Down		Ovulation
	Emotional Changes		Perfectionist Attitude
	Exhaustion		Poor Posture
	Exposure to Sunshine		Pounding Heart
	Exposure to Fumes/Chem.		Sinus Problems
	Fear		Spinal Tap Anes. Injury
	Glare or Eye Strain		Stress
	Head Trauma		Feeling Something's Wrong
	High Blood Pressure		Too Little/Too Much Sleep
	Hormonal Changes		TMJ Disease/Bruxism
	Hurt Feelings Unexpressed		Weather Changes
	Inability to Face an Issue		Whiplash
	Injury to the Tail Bone		Food Associated See Below:

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Foods and chemicals commonly associated with headaches.

	Alcohol (Esp. Beer/Wine)		Low Serotonin Levels
	Apples		Melon
	Aspartame/Nutrasweet		Mono Sodium Glutamate
	Bananas		Nitrites/Sulfites
	Beef		Nitroglycerin
	Benzoic Acid		Nuts
	Cane Sugar		Oats
	Carrots		Onions
	Cheese (Yellow or Smelly)		Oranges
	Chicken		Peaches
	Chocolate		Peanuts
	Coffee		Pork
	Corn		Potatoes
	Cow's Milk		Rice
	Eggs		Rye
	Fish		Soy, Soy Sauce, Miso
	Goat's Milk		Strawberries
	Grapes		Tartrazine
	Histamine ContainingFood		Tea
	Histamine Releasing Food:		Tomatoes
	Chocolate		Walnuts
	Beer		Wheat
	Cheese		Withdrawal from Coffee
	Wine		Yeast

Note: Detection of food allergies depends on whether your body is allergic, intolerant and what time it was eaten. Some symptoms can show up within minutes, other symptoms within 36 hours. Muscle-testing will pick up those foods that are a problem for you lately, but not always from way back in the past. I can muscle-test out an approximate time period when the headache will come on after you eat a specific food.

If you know what foods are causing your headaches, you can rotate your diet appropriately and be your own Sherlock Holmes in knowing what you ate that triggers pain. After you get used to this identification process, you will know what you can get away with and what you can't. That helps a lot, say my clients.

Treatments for headaches including natural and allopathic forms are listed below under supplements, herbs, aroma therapies, homeopathics, alternative therapies and "real drugs":

Supplements that may be useful for your headache treatment.

	5-HTP		Magnesium:
	Brewer's Yeast		Magnesium Asparate
	Bromelain		Magnesium Citrate
	Calcium:		Magnesium Glycinate
	Calcium w/ Boron		Mag.Malate(MalicAcid)
	Calcium Citrate		Magnesium Oxide
	Calcium Carbonate		Primrose Oil
	Calcium Hydroxyapatite		Quercetin
	Cal-Ma Plus		Rutin
	Cal Mag Zinc		Vitamin B Complex
	Microcrystalline Form		Vitamin B3
	Charcoal		Vitamin B5 (Pantoth.Acid)
	DLPA		Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
	GABA		Vitamin B-12
	Ionic Minerals		Vit. B15 (Pangamic Acid)
	L-Glutamine		Vitamin E
	L-Tyrosine		Other:
	Melatonin		Other:
	Potassium		Other:

Herbs that help headaches:

	Burdock Root		Kava Kava
	Ephedra		Lavender
	Fenugreek		Lobelia (short term only)
	Fever Few(if pregnant, No)		Marshmallow
	Germanium		Mint
	Ginger		Parsley
	Ginkgo biloba		Skullcap
	Goldenseal		Thyme
	Green Tea		Valerian
	Horsetail		Wild Lettuce

Aromatherapies Used in Headache Treatment:

	Basil		Neroli
	Benzoin		Oregano
	Clove		Peppermint
	Coriander		Pine
	Eucalyptus		Roman Chamomile
	Geranium		Rose, Absolute
	Juniper Berry		Rosemary
	Lavender Flower		Tea Tree
	Marjoram		Thyme

I carry Starwest Botanical Essential Oils and have the full line. Prices vary. Email me if you can't find these oils locally and you'd like to try them. drmoffat@NaturalHealthTechniques.com

Homeopathics Used in Headache Treatments:

	Aconitum Nap.		Ignatia
	Belladonna		Nux Vomica
	Bryonia Alba		Ruta Graveolens
	Calcarea Phosphorica		Veratrum Album
	Ferrum Phosphoricum		Natrum Mur. (Cell Salt)
	Gelsemium		Other:

Alternative therapies for headaches

	Acupressure		Isometric Presses
	Acupuncture		Juice Fast, Short (4 days)
	Aromatherapy		Magnets (necklace #1497)
	Avoid Certain Foods		Massage
	Biofeedback		Masturbation(Early Onset)
	Chiropractic		Meditation/Breathing
	Color Cleansing		Ophthalmologist(EyeExam)
	Counseling		Osteopathy
	Cranio Sacral Work		Real Drugs
	Dehydration/Drink Water		Reflexology
	Determining Triggers		Reiki
	Dietary Changes		Relaxation Techniques
	Emotional Clearing		Shiatsu
	Exercise and Fresh Air		Spiritual Guidance
	Glandulars		Spiritual Lessons Learned
	Herbs		Supplements
	High Fiber Diets		Support Groups
	Homeopathics		Vitamins
	Hormone Therapy		Yoga
	Hydrotherapy		Other:

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"Real" drugs used for headaches/pain.

Acetominophen (Tylenol)		Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
Actron (Orudis)		Ibuprophin (Motrin)
Advil		Imitrex (Sumatriptan)
Amerge		Imixpramine
Amitryptyline		Inderal (Propranolol)
Anacin		Indocin (Indomethacin)
Anaprox (AKA's)		Kadian (M Contin)
Aleve		Ketoprofen (Orudis)
Naprelan		Ketorolac (Toraxdol)
Naproxen Sodium		Lodine
Anolor (Fioricet or Esgic)		Maxalt (Rizatriptan)
Ansaid		Meperidine (Demerol)
Aspirin (AKA's)		Methysergide
Ascriptin (Buff/Enteric)		Midrin
Bayer		Morphone (MS Contin)
Ecotrin(Enteric coated)		Motrin
Empirin(Buffered)		Naprosyn (Naproxen)
Butalbital		Naratriptan
Cafergot		Orudis or Orudis KT
Caffeine		Pamprin
Calcium Channel Blockers		Pentazocine/Asprn(Talwin)
Diltiazem		Percocet
Nifedipine	&nbs