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Client with Migraines
I have a client coming tomorrow morning who has been experiencing migraine/tension headaches for the past two days. Other than just friction on the supraspinous and intertransverse ligaments, along with some AIS stretches, what could I do to alleviate his pain?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by martin rørdam on
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First off all check the stat of the m. Levator scapulae especially where it originates (the processus transversus 1-4). Loosen that and follow the whole muscle down all the way to scapulae (go under the trapezzius not trough; I prefer to do so with the client lying on the back) and lower those shoulders 2-3 inches.
martin rørdam at www.masseuren.dk
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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on
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Brooke , Im sorry you have to stress out over this... In time you will learn how to work with Migrainers. There are books and DVDs that can show and give you an approach.. Go to Amazon.com. and buy one. You will get up to steam real fast.
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Permalink Reply by Jody C. Hutchinson on
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BB,
I know this is going against the grain, however, I will be quick. You mentioned migraines/tension HA. They are different. My wife has been suffering from migraines for over thirty years. I have had migraineurs as clients. I personally don't think massage is helpful. Tension HA, yes indeed. My 2 cents.
jh
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The last two migrainers I worked on it helped...cured no.. But I stopped their head aches in one session.. One had been suffering for five days, it took me twenty minutes to stop hers...she looked horrible when she came in, and was smiling when she left. She gave me a really good hug.. The next one after her.. it took me 80min .I was ready to admit defeat. But some how after 80min. it was gone. She had it for four days in a row...Can I do that all the time..No.Of course not. .. Were they really migraines? I dont know. .But that was their medical diagnosis. They were under doctors care. Both of those clients came in about three months ago...Ive helped many with that diagnosis over the years. And the next time they get one..They will come back, trust me. And the one before that I used Myokinesthetics techniques to eliminate her migraine in one session. That system is freakily good.. http://www.myokinesthetic.com/
Jody C. Hutchinson said:BB,
I know this is going against the grain, however, I will be quick. You mentioned migraines/tension HA. They are different. My wife has been suffering from migraines for over thirty years. I have had migraineurs as clients. I personally don't think massage is helpful. Tension HA, yes indeed. My 2 cents.
jh
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Permalink Reply by Michele Ellis on
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I have found most people coming in suffering from headaches/migraines also suffer from neck problems. They will complain about a headache I'll ask about neck pain and vice versa. If they have major neck and shoulder pains, they say they do get headaches. Check the scalenes. 9 times out of 10 they are a problem area. Also check the SCM. I have found that is a major issue for headaches. Also as has been mentioned, the lavator scapulae. Last but not least, I check the suboccipitals. I'd also ask where does it feel like the headaches are originating from. If they can narrow it down then finding the problem muscle is a little easier.
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Michelle,
I have found that many of the clients with migraine HA also have had a disc problem in their neck. There are many types of migraines and I am surprised that nobody has mentioned the trigeminal nerve. Many migraines are neuro-vascular episodes and I can't think that massage to the muscles will stop them. I also wonder how many people are aware of the greater occipital nerve when they dig into the suboccipitals.
Again, my 2 cents.
jh
Michele Ellis said:I have found most people coming in suffering from headaches/migraines also suffer from neck problems. They will complain about a headache I'll ask about neck pain and vice versa. If they have major neck and shoulder pains, they say they do get headaches. Check the scalenes. 9 times out of 10 they are a problem area. Also check the SCM. I have found that is a major issue for headaches. Also as has been mentioned, the lavator scapulae. Last but not least, I check the suboccipitals. I'd also ask where does it feel like the headaches are originating from. If they can narrow it down then finding the problem muscle is a little easier.
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Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on
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Before sending the client to a DC, check for TP as others are suggesting...in the areas suggested. For as a chiro admitted spine is unlikely to cause migraines(which come and go. If it were spinal it would persist continuouly till fixed
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Jody,
I understand that there are many different types of migraines/headaches. And massage does not cure all. Muscles aren't always the only problem when it comes to any pain. It can always be nerve, joint, or many other problems. It could even be hormones. Or not being hydrated enough. They are all areas to consider while working with headaches.
Working the suboccipitals does not have to be firm pressure. A light pressure can work wonders in that area. Too much can make the headache worse. My clients love that area worked whether they have a headache or not. Very relaxing, as well as helping with pain at the base of the head.
Jody C. Hutchinson said:Michelle,
I have found that many of the clients with migraine HA also have had a disc problem in their neck. There are many types of migraines and I am surprised that nobody has mentioned the trigeminal nerve. Many migraines are neuro-vascular episodes and I can't think that massage to the muscles will stop them. I also wonder how many people are aware of the greater occipital nerve when they dig into the suboccipitals.
Again, my 2 cents.
jh
Michele Ellis said:I have found most people coming in suffering from headaches/migraines also suffer from neck problems. They will complain about a headache I'll ask about neck pain and vice versa. If they have major neck and shoulder pains, they say they do get headaches. Check the scalenes. 9 times out of 10 they are a problem area. Also check the SCM. I have found that is a major issue for headaches. Also as has been mentioned, the lavator scapulae. Last but not least, I check the suboccipitals. I'd also ask where does it feel like the headaches are originating from. If they can narrow it down then finding the problem muscle is a little easier.
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Permalink Reply by Lee Edelberg on
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In addition to massage, mixing in basic cranio-sacral techniques makes a huge difference for my clients w/headaches and neck tension.
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Permalink Reply by Amy - LMT & Licensed Esthetician on
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Always make sure they are not experiencing the headache due to blood pressure issues. I have had 2 clients this past week complaining about headaches. Before we did anything we checked their blood pressure. Guess what they went straight to the doctor without me touching them.
Some people don't know the difference between tension/migraine/high blood pressure
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I'm not going to claim I cure headaches.. But the last five people with headaches Ive worked on left with out them...Serious migraines too. I feel confident with them now...after 28 years...difficult to explain specific techniques online here..but.. well all I can say is...you are almost guaranteed to whip out 80% of them with myokinesthetics techniques....With everything else I know,, I can wipe out the vast majority of them now...I feel pretty good about headaches...Get that guys self cure DVD for headaches and re engineer it for your hands on massage skills...You will be surprised at your ability to stop any headache in its tracks...Very surprised....Ive been doing this kind of work for 28 years...That DVD cost about $35.00... Well worth the cost.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5avNM9mnBnk&feature=fvwrel This works more often then naught. Not kidding.
Gordon J. Wallis said:The last two migrainers I worked on it helped...cured no.. But I stopped their head aches in one session.. One had been suffering for five days, it took me twenty minutes to stop hers...she looked horrible when she came in, and was smiling when she left. She gave me a really good hug.. The next one after her.. it took me 80min .I was ready to admit defeat. But some how after 80min. it was gone. She had it for four days in a row...Can I do that all the time..No.Of course not. .. Were they really migraines? I dont know. .But that was their medical diagnosis. They were under doctors care. Both of those clients came in about three months ago...Ive helped many with that diagnosis over the years. And the next time they get one..They will come back, trust me. And the one before that I used Myokinesthetics techniques to eliminate her migraine in one session. That system is freakily good.. http://www.myokinesthetic.com/
Jody C. Hutchinson said:BB,
I know this is going against the grain, however, I will be quick. You mentioned migraines/tension HA. They are different. My wife has been suffering from migraines for over thirty years. I have had migraineurs as clients. I personally don't think massage is helpful. Tension HA, yes indeed. My 2 cents.
jh
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