Dr. Jeff Lazarus, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician from Stanford and clinical hypnotist, believes that children can safely use self-hypnosis to reduce the frequency and intensity of their migraines.
Hypnosis Migraine Treatment
Migraines
Pediatric migraine headaches are recurrent headaches, often associated with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light (photophobia), and sensitivity to sound (phonophobia). They can be quite debilitating, causing children to miss school and significantly compromising the quality of their lives.
Some patients experience an aura prior to their headaches. An aura is a signal that the migraine is going to occur relatively soon. An aura may involve seeing flashing lights, feeling dizzy, or other sensations. Although an aura occurs in only one-third of migraine patients, I have found that most patients’ headaches do not become severe that quickly. Even without an aura, patients usually experience the headache beginning, then becoming worse over time.
Success Story: Medical Hypnosis for Migraines
Dr. Lazarus treated 12-year old Anton for migraine headaches. This video shows some of Anton’s sessions with Dr. Lazarus and includes a follow up with Anton 9 years after treatment with a note on how he uses his newly learned skill of self-hypnosis.
Traditional treatment with medication includes:
• symptomatic (treating an active migraine)
• abortive (treating a migraine that is about to occur)
• preventive (using long-term medication to prevent migraines)
