We’ve had good success using stretch-based relaxation to help people who have tension headaches,” says Charles Carlson, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. See page 602 for one example of a stretch-based relaxation technique. Practice this sequence of exercises whenever you begin to feel a headache coming on.
For some people, other relaxation techniques, including deep breathing, meditation, autogenics, thermal biofeedback and progressive relaxation, are also effective, according to Dr. Carlson. For brief descriptions of each of these techniques, see page 113.