physical therapy helps migraines?

[gkbruzik]

I have had migraines for ten years and I take relpax at the onset of a headache, sometimes though it gets to be too often and I cannot take relpax anymore than 3 times a week
I know that my neck has quite a lot of knots and i get a lot of pain from my back especially neck before a migraine and I do believe they start from there.
Does anyone know if physical therapy help migraines? can anyone help in pointing me towards the right thing? I dont think that drugs help, I have taken daily pills but I honestly didnt see a decrease in them.  Please help.  Thanks!

[LifesAHeadache]

Here is a quiz - take your finger and press the middle of your shoulder between your neck and where a bra strap would hit.  Work your way up to your neck - does any of those points hurt?  If so, then phys. therapy can definitely help.  In all honesty - I think if helps no matter what even just to get a good excercise list for prevention of headaches.

If those points are extremely tender, then I would ask for that electrical stimulation procedure.  It can get the blood back in those muscles.  Also, I swear by cold pack under the base of skull and heating pad on the neck - of course no electrical cords or anything that can get wet.

But, are you on a migraine preventative - there are some good ones.  Elavil before bed can be a great migraine preventative and help with the neck.  25% of those who use it will gain weight on it so you have to be careful.  Topamax is another one but I never liked it.  Not a doc though.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Physical therapy does help in many cases and so do breathing exercises and yoga.

But it is advisable to do them in consultation with your doctor and under supervision of a certified physical therapist.

Also rule out cervical spondylitis as the cause of your symptoms.

Let us know how you are doing and whether physical therapy was of help to you.

Regards.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Physical therapy does help in many cases and so do breathing exercises and yoga.

But it is advisable to do them in consultation with your doctor and under supervision of a certified physical therapist.

Also rule out cervical spondylitis as the cause of your symptoms.

Let us know how you are doing and whether physical therapy was of help to you.

Regards.