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Book reviews - Healing headaches: A New Zealand guide
Dr Jim Bartley FRACS.
Random House New Zealand,
2007, $34.99
Written by an Auckland surgeon after years of experience treating sufferers, and coupled with a willingness to think laterally about solutions and causes, Healing Headaches offers an empowering and holistic approach that even makes space for prayer.
Ear, nose and throat surgeon Jim Bartley is a senior lecturer at Auckland Medical School and works at the Auckland Regional Pain Service. He is also a gifted writer, with the ability to explain complex phenomena in a non-intimidating manner.
The book is subtitled “managing migraines and tension headaches” and after considering the different causes of headaches Bartley offers several avenues by which relief can be found. I found his chapter on the ways in which we breathe when stressed set up muscle tension in the neck and jaw illuminating. It’s a useful read not only for headache sufferers but for anyone experiencing the physical effects of stress.
In a chapter entitled “using the mind”, Bartley discusses the power of prayer and explicitly acknowledges the important role spirituality plays in a person’s health. “Prayer could also be considered an active pain coping behaviour, and can be a valuable pain intervention.”
Other chapters include understanding different types of headaches, the stress response, sleep, nutrition, posture, medication and complementary therapies. Healing Headaches is a very readable guide to pain that affects the lives of many in our community and would be
a valuable addition to any church or personal library.
Reviewed by Amanda Wells