Migraine is a neurological syndrome characterized by excruciating “throbbing” ( vascular) headache with associated symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, lack of appetiteand hypersensitivity to stimuli.
Migraine Massage Therapy Treatment Goals:
– decrease pain
– decrease Hypertonicities ( within pain tolerance)
Migraine Massage Therapy Treatment:
- Diaphragmatic breathing
- Position: Supine or sidelying: not prone
- Cold hydro to head and neck
- Manual lymphatic drainage to head and neck
- Origin and Insertion, GTO release, muscle approximation to hypertonic upper back and neck muscles if spasm is present
- Effleurage and petrissage to upper back and neck
- Vibrations over face and neck
- Ischemic Compressions on Trigger Points
- Finish with Passive ROM and Passive stretching
Considerations and Contraindications for Migraine Massage Therapy Treatment:
- avoid heat on neck or head during migraine
- avoid triggers (music and bright lights, loud music, avoid fragrances, perfumes, essential oils)
- if head and neck massage is not tolerable, give client foot and hand massage
- during attack: shorter treatment time, avoid deep work
Signs and Symptoms of Migraine:
- usually unilateral
- pulsating pain, moderate to severe
- dull ache, sensation of pressure which gradually localizes to one area and becomes more intense and pounding
– Common Migraine
- Without aura
- Affects 85% of people with migraines
- 24-48 hours before: mood changes, food cravings, altered sensory perception, excessive yawning, memory dysfunction
– Classic Migraine
- Affects 15% of people with migraines
- Reduction of cerebral blood flow (aura): hallucinations
- Sensory: pins and needles, around lips and hands
- Auditory: hissing or rumbling noises
- Olfactory: hallucinations of strong smells (burning rubber)
Self care for Migraine:
- hot bath as soon as and if client notices temperature of extremities dropping
- stretching and self massage
- during Headache: cool-cold compresses to face, scalp, wrists and feet
- aerobic exercise between attacks
