“Most kids with vocal or motor tics find that tics tend to be more prominent at times of emotional arousal—excitement, surprise, anger, stress, worries, etc. Helping them to understand the signals of stress and then giving them skills to modulate their own automatic nervous system activity to rebalance is very helpful. With regular practice of techniques such as meditation and biofeedback, kids can reset their ANS (Autonomic Nervous System) activity to a lower, more balanced baseline, thus promoting less overall tic activity day to day.”
The human head sure comes up in conversation a lot. There are so many well-known phrases: get a head start, we’re making headway, head of the class, and (a personal favorite) head over heels. The head also houses the brain, so its all-important status is not likely to change anytime soon.
Sometimes the head becomes more of a headache, so to speak. Various ailments associated with the head and nervous system can range from temporary inconveniences like tension headaches to life-threatening conditions like seizures and epilepsy.
Luckily the treatment alternatives discussed in this chapter have shown remarkable results in improving the symptoms of these ailments, as well as decreasing the frequency and pain associated with each.
Everyone gets headaches from time to time, but migraines are not your typical ones. These severe headaches can cause other symptoms including flashes or dark spots, blurred vision, light sensitivity, numbness, nausea, and vomiting. Lasting from several hours to several days, migraine headaches can truly be debilitating.
During migraines, blood vessels in the brain spasm and chemicals are thought to be emitted from overexcited nerves surrounding the cells.
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According to the National Headache Foundation, kids are more likely to suffer migraine headaches if they have a relevant family history. In fact, nearly 30 million Americans of all ages suffer from migraines. Females are three times more likely than males to experience migraines. Some children suffer from a version called abdominal migraine in which abdominal pain and vomiting are more prominent than headache.
Research is inconclusive on the cause of migraine headaches, but there are known triggers that lead to migraines in those prone to this ailment. Common triggers include environmental changes (such as warm weather), strong scents from perfumes and colognes, menstrual cycles (for females), stress, sleeping or eating pattern changes, and even reactions to certain foods and beverages (especially meats and cheeses).
If your child has more than the typical garden-variety headache, it may be a migraine. As severe as they can be, migraines are more effectively prevented than treated in most cases. In these cases, check out the following conventional and alternative prevention remedies to prevent migraines.
Migraine Headache Side-by-Side Comparison
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Researchers in Hamburg, Germany, conducted a study with butterbur root extract to test its effectiveness in migraine prevention. In the study, 108 children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 17 were included. Participants all reported suffering migraine headaches for at least one year. Each patient was treated with 50 to 150 milligrams (depending on age) of butterbur root extract for a period of four months. 91 percent of patients felt substantially or slightly better after four months of treatment. Researchers concluded that butterbur root extract shows potential in treating migraines and is well tolerated by children and teenagers.
Magnesium, as noted by Tieraona Low Dog, MD, may help prevent migraine headaches in children.
“Young or old, magnesium is one of the first preventive treatments for migraine I reach for. There are powdered magnesium products in the marketplace that can be blended with food or made into a fizzy drink. The dose is 200 to 400 milligrams per day based upon age.”
A medical professional should choose the appropriate dosage. Instead of supplements, magnesium can also be consumed naturally in foods like nuts, brown rice, and squash. Another supplement that can help decrease migraine frequency is CoQ10. This supplemental enzyme can help promote optimal mitochodrial function. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce the frequency of migraines and may reduce the need for migraine medication. Finally, elimination diets removing potential offending foods like dairy or chocolate may be helpful.
Watching your child have a seizure can be frightening. Your child literally loses temporary control of his body and experiences convulsions. This is a neurological problem that stems from unusual electric activity in the brain. Lasting from several seconds to several minutes, seizures can be accompanied by a loss of muscle control and even loss of consciousness.
For children, seizures may or may not be life threatening. Grand mal seizures, those with extreme convulsions and loss of consciousness, can be very serious. Less severe seizures can be triggered by something as simple as a high fever in a vulnerable child. These febrile seizures are not associated with long-term consequences and usually spontaneously resolve by age six at the latest.
Repeated seizures are typically known as epilepsy. Abnormal electrical signals sent out by the brain cause the repeated and unpredictable seizures. Triggers vary and can include fever, flashing lights, or pharmaceutical agents.
If your child is prone to seizures, read on to learn about conventional remedies and treatment alternatives that can ameliorate the symptoms and reduce seizure frequency. Given how serious seizures can be, it is very important to note that you should work closely with a specialist to determine the best course of action. Medication may be lifesaving in some cases and one should never discontinue antiseizure medications without consulting a physician.
Seizures Side-by-Side Comparison
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Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, studied the effectiveness of electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback (or neurofeedback) in treating epilepsy. In this publication, researchers noted that nearly 33 percent of patients with epilepsy fail to benefit from medical treatment. In these cases, scientists meta-analyzed existing research on neurofeedback for seizure disorder for studies between 1970 and 2005. Across the studies, 74 percent of patients reported fewer weekly seizures in response to EEG biofeedback. EEG biofeedback is sometimes used as a complement or alternative to medication.
Similar to its use for migraine headaches, acupuncture may be effective in decreasing the occurrence and severity of seizures. Further, acupuncture can decrease reliance on antiseizure medications. Also consider a ketogenic diet if your child suffers from seizures. This diet is extremely low in carbohydrates, moderate in protein, and very high in fat; it can help some seizure sufferers. Consult with an experienced nutritionist if you are considering the ketogenic diet. Finally, increasing omega-3 intake may benefit the nervous system and reduce seizure frequency. Omega-3s can be taken in supplement form or naturally in foods like salmon and walnuts. Remember, for children with seizures, all of these treatments should be considered only under the close supervision of your doctor.
The most common form of headache is the tension headache. Pain anywhere on the forehead, side, or back of head is the telltale sign. Usually fatigue and tenderness near the eyes, neck, and scalp accompany a tension headache.
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How can you tell the difference between a migraine and tension headache? First, migraine pain is typically localized near the eye on one affected side while tension headache pain is more generalized. Further, deep throbbing and pulsating pain is common with migraines while tension headache pain is duller and more pressure-like. Finally, symptoms such as vomiting and light sensitivity are associated more with migraines than tension headaches.
Most researchers believe tension headaches are triggered by stress or changes to sleep patterns, eating or drinking habits, or even pressure or altitude-related changes. While most tension headaches improve within six hours, they can last longer. Episodes can be an independent ailment from a temporary stressor or associated with a deeper neurological condition worth investigating.
If your child is experiencing tension headaches, check out the treatment options in this section. It’s a surefire ticket to easing the pain and keeping homework and a clean room on track!
Tension Headache Side-by-Side Comparison
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Researchers at the Center for Complementary Medicine Research in Munich, Germany, studied the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating tension-type headaches. All together, scientists reviewed 11 trials covering 2,317 participants. In summarizing the trials, researchers found both clinically relevant and statistically significant short-term (for three months) benefits for acupuncture versus a control group. Both pain intensity and number of headache days decreased for those receiving acupuncture. In conclusion, researchers believe acupuncture to be a viable non-pharmacological tool for patients suffering chronic or frequent episodic tension-type headaches.
For tension headaches, consider mind-body therapies like biofeedback or hypnosis, targeting muscle relaxation in the face, scalp, and neck. These three areas can reduce the sensation of a tension headache. Yoga can also reduce tension headaches by engaging the mind and body. Finally, massage is known to reduce the severity of tension headaches by relieving tense and overworked muscles.
Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological condition that causes uncontrollable physical displays of tics. These are quick and repetitive motor movements or vocalizations beyond the control of your child.
Researchers have been unable to pinpoint the specific cause of Tourette’s syndrome, though it does appear to be passed on in families. Much more common than Tourette’s syndrome are simple motor tics that occur for short periods of time, especially under stressful conditions. Also, streptococcal infections are known triggers of tics associated with obsessive-compulsive behaviors under the heading of PANDAS, or Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. It is unknown how many children with tics are suffering from PANDAS, and it is believed that other infections can also cause acute onset of tics.
Tourette’s syndrome usually first appears in childhood. While months may pass with no symptoms, tics can appear suddenly out of nowhere. This ailment may also be chronic; in these cases, it can regularly affect speech and motor movements.
Sudden jerking of the head, body, or arms is a common symptom of Tourette’s syndrome. Additional symptoms include repetitive vocal noises (particularly including inappropriate words), strained facial expressions, compulsive movements (e.g., blinking), and even self-harm (e.g., slapping oneself). If your child has been diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome, you’ll want to learn about the treatment options covered in this section.
Tics/Tourette’s Syndrome Side-by-Side Comparison
| Conventional Remedy | Treatment Alternative | |
| Generic Treatment | Guanfacine | Hypnosis |
| Sample Brand Name Treatment | Tenex | N/A |
| How it works | Tenex is a medicine designed to lower high blood pressure. In addition, it can reduce the frequency of tics associated with Tourette’s syndrome. | Hypnosis can help to reduce tics associated with Tourette’s syndrome by encouraging the body to use self-control and concentration, in addition to relaxation, to help manage undesired behaviors such as tics. |
| Dosage | Tenex should be taken daily as prescribed by a doctor to alleviate tics. Tenex is recommended only for children ages 12 and up. | Hypnosis treatment, including session length and frequency, should be determined by a medical professional. |
| Active Ingredients | Guanfacine | N/A |
| Common Mild Side Effects | Dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, dry mouth, constipation | None |
| Less Common Serious Side Effects | Allergic reaction, irregular heartbeat, pounding chest, decreased sexual function, changes in mood or behavior, fainting, blurred vision | None |
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The famous psychologist Milton Erickson first pioneered the use of hypnosis as a medical treatment for children. This work has continued over the years including a study by the Department of Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Researchers examined the practicality of self-hypnosis standardized methods in treating Tourette’s syndrome patients with tics. In total, 79 percent of patients experienced a positive sustained clinical response over a six-week period. In fact, 46 percent achieved tic control through self-hypnosis after only two sessions, while 96 percent had success after three visits.
Magnesium is essential for a healthy nervous system and can be found naturally in foods like soybeans, nuts, and whole grains. Other vitamins that improve nervous system functioning include vitamin B6 and other B-complex vitamins. Chickpeas, bell peppers, and whole-grain breads are rich in these vitamins and can relax nervous system functioning, thereby reducing Tourette’s syndrome symptoms. Finally, consider Ningdong granule, a Chinese herbal preparation that can regulate bodily production of dopamine to reduce the frequency and severity of Tourette’s syndrome tics. Researchers at Shandong University in China demonstrated that Ningdong granule was safe and effective in an eight-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in subjects ages 7 to 18 years with Tourette’s syndrome.
An acupuncture needle.
“Acupuncture is safe and is not a painful procedure. Children can easily accept acupuncture, particularly when it is demonstrated on a parent. One of the things children appreciate about it is that they can almost immediately feel its calming effects, so that even kids who are anxious about the procedure can relax. Children often get fast results in pain relief from acupuncture.”
—Ellen Silver Highfield, Licensed Acupuncturist, Director of Acupuncture Programs and Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine
Originating in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the theory of acupuncture is based on a premise that bodily functions are regulated by energy flow (chi) in the body. The job of acupuncture is to correct energy flow imbalances by stimulating anatomical under-the-skin locations (referred to as acupuncture points) along pathways called meridians. Classically, these points are stimulated by tiny, hair-thin needles but also can be triggered by touch-pressure or heat.
According to TCM, the body has a delicate balance of two inseparable and opposing forces, yin and yang. Yin represents the slow and passive principle while yang represents the excited and active principle. Maintaining the body in a balanced state is critical for overall health. When imbalance occurs, acupuncture can unblock energy flow breakdowns and help restore the body to health.
Hundreds of studies have been conducted on the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for a host of ailments. For chronic pain especially, multiple trials have demonstrated the value of acupuncture. More specific to the ailments discussed in this chapter, researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City studied acupuncture in helping treat chronic headache disorders. Researchers discovered that acupuncture has persistent and clinically relevant benefits for patients experiencing chronic headaches, particularly migraines.
Your child may shiver at the thought of inserting a host of needles into her skin, yet studies have shown that acupuncture is well tolerated by children of all ages. There is a curious sensation when a needle is first inserted, one that feels to some like a single hair pulled on the skin. Then again, a small hair pull may be a small price to pay for easing the pain of persistent headaches.