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WHERE CAN I GET HELP AND INFORMATION? * 77

this decision, and it is not appropriate to discuss them here. However, if you are in doubt about your doctor’s recommendation and believe that you are being ‘fobbed off\ then you should persevere in trying to seek morę help from the medical profession. Please remember to do this nicely, however. Your doctor is much morę likely to react favourably to you if you appear to be concerned rather than awkward or petulant. Think how you would react to these statements if you were a doctor:

•    I’m still very worried. Is there someone else who could see me just to put my mind at rest? Just in case...

•    I’m not happy. I think you’ve got it wrong. I want a second opinion.

The first approach is the best. Doctors are human beings and can be offended or hurt just like anyone. If you treat them respectfully, even if you think they might have madę a mistake, you are much morę likely to be treated with respect in return.

If you do see a specialist, then he or she is ąuite likely to be a neurologist. Neurologists look at neurons (nerves), and sińce the brain is one big collection of nerve cells and pain signals are carried along nerves, neurologists are well placed to study headaches.

Complementary practitioners

The world of complementary therapy is vast and not all practitioners are trustworthy and fair. Some therapies can even be dangerous, and you are advised to tell your doctor of any complementary approaches you are exploring and to research them thoroughly.

In this section, it is only possible to give a smali selection of the therapies you might try. Inclusion in this section does not constitute an endorsement, nor does exclusion constitute a warning. The therapies listed here are given because they are relatively common, easy to access, and have shown to have some benefit for some headache and migraine sufferers. Always remember: complementary therapies go alongside orthodox medicine, so please do not seek complementary medicine instead of seeing your doctor.