Massage and Migraines? What a relief!

By Sage Wednesday, October 14, 2009

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I've no doubt this has been a discussion topic and I hope you all don't mind me asking...how is it that a talented massage therapist can literally make my migraine disappear with his or her magic hands?

I recently learned I have some residual nerve damage in my neck from an old body surfing accident. (Sandbar 1, Sage O) I've had some nerve blocks in the neck and they kind of help but just for a couple of days. BTW, it has to be placed perfectly or no help. My neurologist is systemtically working through the non-medicinal treatments and next up is physical therapy. But back to the Migraines and Massage - how would working the pressure points and knots (base of head and neck) out make a migraine stop?

And here's the kicker, why doesn't it last very long?

Of course the massage therapist suggest I call whenever I need relief but 20 massages a month is a little much. Any ideas on how I can replicate this myself? So far, no luck in the self massage department.

Thanks!

May I share my migraine success with you?

Comments (8) | Add comment

Nancy Harris Bonk, Health Guide

10/16/09 9:09pm

Hello, and welcome to MyMigraineConnection.com!

You see here's the thing, Migraine is a genetic neurological disease thought to be caused by overactive neurons in our brains and genetics. Migraines can be triggered by many things like changes in the weather, certain foods, lights, missing meals and dehydration. Complementary therapies are often employed in a Migraine management plan and can be very helpful. Massage is one such therapy, but let me stress, not a cure because there is no cure at the moment.

Thank you for creating a SharePost. SharePosts are a form of blogging, and there are many things you can do with them. You can share an experience, suggest something that's helped you, use SharePosts as a Migraine and headache journal, and many other things.

We also have a discussion forum that you may want to check out. Especially if you have questions or are looking for information, you may find the interaction on the forum to be quite helpful. To get to the forum, just look for the orange box marked "Manage" and click on the Migraine Forums link. Because our forums are maintained by a third party, you'll need to register for the forum. You can use the same information you used to create your community log-in if you like. If you want to go directly to the forum, you can click HERE.

Along with your personal "My Home" page and the discussion forum, you'll find links to a great deal of helpful information and a spot to sign up for our free newsletter on the main page of our site, http://www.MyMigraineConnection.com.

If you have any questions, please feel free to post them to the forum or send me a message through my profile.

Welcome again,

Nancy Bonk
MyMigraineConnection.com Expert

ordiefam

10/22/09 11:26am

I am in the same boat. My pain dr is a real advocate for massages, partly because I have fibromyglia too, so it helps that as well. But I have the tight neck and shoulder muscles and no matter how long my therapist works on them, I have a few hours of great relief and then they come right back. I have gotten nerve block injections too and they help a little but not like I would like..all the time!

The only thing I do when i get a bad one is take a bag of ice, wrap it in a towel and lay on it with my neck and that helps a little.

I got a bad migraine last night while working out. I had to rush home before it would get worse. It was awful. So i don't know if that is the tension in the muscles or what.

i wish you the best of luck!

Anonymous

10/22/09 12:24pm

Cranial Sacaral Therapy will keep my headaches at bay a little longer than a massage. But a really good Cranial Sacaral Therapist is hard to find. A PT with lots of training hours is isually better than a massage therapist with CST experience.

Sage

10/23/09 1:04pm

I took a personality test once that said my type (ENFP) carry all of their tension in their neck and shoulders and that's plenty of tension because they "don't miss much" or in other words are hyper vigilant. Be cool to see if there is any relationship between personality types and migraine. Meanwhile I use one of the most expensive pillows imaginable (Tempurpedic) and that really helps. I wake up better and looser. I take frequent breaks from the keyboard. I do neck and shoulder stretches every morning in a hot, hot shower (I want one now!). And of course massage -- but in this economy that's not a frequent option. I got a massage table, took a class and give my wife an awesome massage but sadly, she doesn't have the hand strength to really "git" where I need gotten. We'll take a class together one of these days. Right now I'm going to go stand in the sun and let it warm me. Bad migraine last night I feel like I have ankle weights on my brain.

Hang loose peeps

LynnT

10/22/09 5:34pm

I suffer from migraines that occasionally stem from neck tension and have found some relief using a "Theracane". These can be purchased online, through eBay or at medical supply stores for approximately $29.95 to $39.95. They come with instructions for massaging your neck, back, under the shoulder blades, or any other areas of your body where knots of tension may develop. I've carried mine along to sporting events, camping trips, or while traveling--anywhere I may start tensing up from sitting on bleachers or sleeping differently, etc. It's designed so you can reach those tough areas!

Sage

10/23/09 1:12pm

I ordered a Therecane - $25.95 from Amazon.com (no tax/no freight) and will have it next week. It's a busy looking rub goldberg contraption judging from the pictures but I can see how it can help get right in there to release tension and knots. A good friend gave me a "Thumper", a big and serious massager. It has two half domes on the massage head and if I lie down and place one "dome" on each side of my spine right where my head and neck meet I can get some relief. Of course it's not systemic and does not loosen shoulders as well. I mention this because I would love to see a hybrid Thumper that vibrates powerfully combined with the Theracane. Thumpercane anyone?

Thank you for sharing this!

LynnT

10/28/09 1:23pm

I have a "thumper" massager too, and I find it difficult to contort myself to apply it to my tension areas. I hope you get your Theracane soon and that it provides you relief from tension! Keep us informed!!

Shell

10/25/09 11:43pm

I know this doen't work for everyone but I started accupuncture treatments for my migrains Aug.2009. Since then I have had no migrains, which I usually had at least one a week if not more. Prior to accupuncture I took 120mg 4 times a day prevenative

I was on Migrinal Nasal spray and Butorphanol. Not oly has this been successful so far but it savs me about $900.00 amonth or more in medications. I wish you the best of luck with your migrains

Massage and Migraines? What a relief!

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