Migraine Pain?

The agonizing pain associated with the migraines has been reported for centuries and is still poorly understood. Early cultures thought migraines were a curse from the gods, since the late 1600's migraines have been associated with vascular abnormalities and treatments have varied over the course of history to include such things as tying a clay crocodile to the head with linen inscribed with the names of the gods (ancient Egypt, approximately 1200 BC) to dripping coca juice containing cocaine into an incision in the scalp (ancient Incas) to willow bark extract (Native Americans). As studies and modern medicine progressed migraines are typically treated with over the counter or prescription medications. However, improper or prolonged use of medications can actually perpetuate the pain.

More recent studies have shown numbers as high as 93.9 percent of the migraine suffers have similar trigger points with referred pain patterns that reproduced the their migraine pain and other symptoms. The research studies have also discovered that the longer the history of migraines and the more frequent the attacks, the greater the number of trigger points the person had in their muscles.

Massage by a qualified, trained massage therapist can address a multitude of problems that may contribute to migraine pain from stress, tmj and trigger points in the muscle. Massage coupled with an in-depth look into lifestyle habits and environmental causes can allow you to control, decrease the duration or intensity of pain (even eliminate the migraine) and decrease dependance on pain medication.

So if you are suffering from migraines try massage... it can't hurt and think you will be pleasantly surprised with the results or we could always try tying a clay crocodile to your head!!