Breaking the Headache Cycle: A Proven Program for Treating and Preventing Recurring Headaches (Paperback)

by Ian Livingstone (Author), Donna Novak (Author) "Hi Donna! I have not seen you in a while, but I just wanted to let you know how I am doing..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, Weber's Law, Herbert Benson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Two headache specialists offer their innovative Headache Reduction Program, for treating and preventing recurring headaches

Twenty-eight million people in the United States suffer from chronic, recurrent, often disabling headaches-half of them forgoing medical attention in favor of analgesics that do nothing to prevent the next one. In Breaking the Headache Cycle , the authors-migraine sufferers themselves-present the integrated Headache Reduction Program (HARP) that they developed at the Princeton Headache Clinic.

Based on the central insights that the predisposition to headaches is a sign of an unusually sensitive nervous system and that drugs are only one component of the most successful treatment plans, this remarkable program instructs readers in a range of techniques, including:

- how to relieve the pain of migraines
- how to detect and ward off oncoming headaches
- how to prevent migraines from even threatening

The innovative solutions detailed in Breaking the Headache Cycle range from simple breathing exercises and dietary changes to support groups and the latest medications. In this thorough and accessible guide, the authors promise new relief for those already being treated for recurring headaches and for those who currently suffer in silence.


About the Author
Ian Livingstone, M.D., a board-certified neurologist, is medical director of the Princeton Headache Clinic. The Castle Connoly Guide lists him as one of the top doctors in the New York metropolitan area. Donna Novak, R.N., is a board-certified nurse practitioner in women's health and a co-founder of the Princeton Headache Clinic. Novak is currently an editorial director for Nursing Spectrum magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks; 1st edition (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805072217
• ISBN-13: 978-0805072211
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #82,766 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ending the Pain Cycle, February 21, 2004

By A Customer

Dr. Livingstone and Donna Novak are the first modern interpreters of migraine to understand and treat migraine as a full-body nerve storm, not a discrete local phenomenon. As a result, their treatment plan is both specific and holistic. A large part of the authors' emphasis is on enhancing the migraine sufferer's ability to identify and control the triggers that stimulate migraine. Their easy-to-use suggestions can be done at home. This is the first treatment program that has successfully stopped my multi-year headache cycle, and I highly recommend it to everyone caught in the snare of migraine.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breaking the Headache Cycle: A Proven Program for Treating and Preventing Recurring Headaches, March 12, 2007

By	Laurene M. Pugliese (MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've had migraines for 20 years. I've been to several doctors and 2 headache clinics. I learned more from this book than anywhere! Very informative.

After reading case histories, it was nice to know that I wasn't the only one feeling this way. I found a lot of myself in this book.

Excellent book! I've already recommended it to a few friends with migraines.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book changed my life!, May 17, 2007

By	Judy Lorain (Santa Rosa, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Since I have suffered from headaches all my life, I have eagerly read any book I can get my hands on that may lead to some relief. This is the first book that I can truly say has SOLVED my problem! For many years, I have had almost-daily headaches and even as recent as Feb 2007, I had 2 to 3 headaches a day (a total of 46 headaches that month alone)! I took Zomig to get relief. It's effective and very expensive but I also knew I was taking WAY too much medicine. This book is full of great information about the hows and whys of migraine headaches and also many, many suggestions of options to break the pattern and get relief. It's very practical, easy to read with stories of other peoples headache histories. As I read it, it seemed they were writing about ME and my headache history. Two very powerful suggestions from that book that changed my life: the deep breathing exercises when I am feeling stress and a low dose of amitriptyline, as prescribed by my doctor. Because of this book, I can truly say - I NO LONGER GET HEADACHES!
If you have recurring headaches - you MUST read this book!