ARE MIGRAINES ROBBING YOU OF YOUR LIFE?

June 24, 2025

50 years!

That’s how long Florida resident Ann Sapp dealt with the crushing pain of migraine headaches.

Then she found a solution, thanks to her neurologist -- and additional therapeutic treatments in Port St. Lucie.

Now, Ann has been migraine free for a year -- and has her life back. More on these successful treatments shortly.

Migraine Headache Awareness Month

Since there’s been a national focus on migraine headaches in the past month, The Headache Alliance and the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy have shared some startling statistics:

n 40 million Americans are living with migraine and headache disorders.

n One billion people worldwide are affected.

n $78 billion is the estimated toll of migraine headaches on the U.S. economy when factoring in emergency care, lost productivity and missed work and school days.

n Migraine headaches are the second leading cause of disability in the world. They’re the leading cause of disability for women under 50 in the United States.

In Washington, DC these national associations hosted events to raise visibility for the 40 million Americans living with the nightmare of migraines.

Tens of thousands of purple flags and signage lined the National Mall --all part of a national movement – and more than 25 states and local governments issued official proclamations to spotlight these actions.

The first-ever stand-alone federal legislation on migraine and headache disorders, the HEADACHE Act (Headache Education, Access, Diagnosis and Care Health Equity Act), has been introduced in Congress. The legislation seeks to expand research and improve access to care.

15 Days of Migraines a Month

In her captivating book, Ending Migraines Through Self Discovery, Ann Sapp relays the decades-long journey that has now resulted in her being migraine free for a year.

Ann is a former teacher who would often “tough it out” by hiding in a dark room and taking medication to endure multiple crushing migraines.

For 15 days a month in many cases. And another 15 days of mild symptoms, considering onset and recovery periods. “Migraines were dominating my life,” Ann says.

It’s no wonder – with statistics like these!

Ann’s Story

Thirty years ago, Ann was referred to a board-certified neurologist in Florida who collaborated with her to develop a treatment plan.

“I’m fortunate to have an excellent neurologist,” Ann explained. “He’s a specialist in migraines and an author and lecturer. He often speaks to colleagues about his findings --and came up with a treatment plan that incorporates infusions.”

This plan provided successes for Ann, including fewer and less severe migraines. “It was like a miracle,” she said. “I began having only two to four migraines a month. I was so happy, but my husband Jack was not satisfied. He wanted me to have NO migraines at all.”

Migraine Free for a Year

A year-and-a-half ago, Ann stepped out of her comfort zone to incorporate another therapeutic treatment into her regimen.

As it turns out, Ann and Jack learned about groundbreaking results being achieved by a professional hypnotherapist in Port St. Lucie, Gary Lalonde.

With only a handful of sessions, clients were seeing major changes – and even eradication – of long-term challenges in the arenas of pain, addictions, weight control, anxiety and many others. Lalonde is also an author and speaker who has published “Special Reports” about these conditions.

“I wasn’t afraid to do hypnotherapy,” Ann relayed in her book, as an acknowledgment of skepticism that has occurred about the practice and bad actors in the field. “Jack and I had gone to a therapist before who used it to help us with our stress levels.”

Professional Associations

The American Psychological Association recognizes hypnosis as a valid psychological tool and endorses hypnotherapy as a legitimate therapeutic approach. Some psychiatrists and psychotherapists believe only medical professionals should be permitted to practice hypnosis. Others believe that hypnotherapy is a safe and effective integrative modality that could complement other treatment plans.

The International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association provides information and referrals for professional practitioners. Today, more than 5,000 physicians and 3,000 dentists use hypnosis in their practices.