Hello,
Has anyone had physio for migraines n has it worked??
My neuro recommended physio. My physio thinks the whole thing is neck related but I have no neck pain ever. She did find lumpy tissue at the top of the neck that she’s treating with ultra sound.
I just wondered if anyone else has had any experience of this?
I also find she wants me to either be doing wxversises or lying flat on a bed which while
Sure will help, is kinda impractical 
Thanks
Hi Missmoss,
As you may have already read, I get “migraine neck” and so physio can work quite well for me. I’ve been down the chiro road as well which was not effective long-term for me and in IMO was a waste of money. Some have had some positive results to speak of going down the NUCCA path (Wino can report on this and Charisse uses it but left this forum upset when it was put under the skeptical microscope).
It works like this for me: I get a migraine attack that hits my neck. Usually I can keep things loosened up in my neck by frequently (daily) rocking the vertebrae side to side face down between two pillows the way my physio does it. By keeping them moving and limber, I avoid the big seize up which means a new problem starts whereby the seized up bone is a trigger in itself and I feel shocking from the referred pain that creates. Left alone this can go on for months until the seized up area (spasmed muscle) is forced to let go.
In rare circumstances (like now) I will go back to the physio for ONE session only – not hundreds as a chiro will have you believe to really target the knot/s. She usually kills it in that one session, at most two. That was only necessary once.
So give it a go if you have a bad neck. It could be a significant trigger that needs addressing.
Best … Scott
Lou- I have never had any neck pain, but PT thought that it couldn’t hurt to work on my neck. When I finally went they said my neck was horrible…their words…“like rocks were in my neck.” Everytime I go, I do VRT and then get a 15 min massage. Initially it hurt a bit, but over time it feels so great. I think it helps alot. PT said that neck issues can cause migraine, and migraine can also cause neck issues. You may never know which happened first, but its definitely worth getting it worked on. Besides, who wouldn’t want a nice massage!
Pardon the ignorance… but… what the heck is a physio?
Are you talking about a physical therapist?
Physio is short for physiotherapist.
In the US they call 'em physical therapists.
Hope that clears that one up!
Dizzy Izzy
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Physio is short for physiotherapist.
In the US they call 'em physical therapists.
Hope that clears that one up!
Dizzy Izzy
— End quote
ABOUT TIME YOU CHIMED IN MISSY!!!
Good to see you active 
xxx
Lol but you’re right Muppo. I’ve been a silent lurker too long. Since I could add nothing of value to the general Bon Jovi theme of most threads recently, I decided to remain silent.
Since I’m more back in the land if the living I’m thinking of changing my profile photo to mark the new me. Just gotta find one I don’t look 110 in. Not that there’s anything wrong with being 110. In fact it’s pretty impressive if you ask me.
Dizzy Izzy x
I do go to the chiropractor when I have horrible head pain and it helps a tremendous amount. I did get an RX for physical therapy, however, I have not gone yet. I hope to start later this month. I’ll keep you posted to ay changes!
Sarah
I see a physical therapist every other week. Stretches, neck stuff, sometimes back and shoulder stuff… it does help. When the muscles in my back and neck get tight it just seems to trigger everything else. The stretches help with the tightness. 9 hours a day hacking away on a keyboard will do that to you.
I’m going to get a chiro computer screening of my neck next Friday at The Back Pain Clinic in London to see if there is anything else wrong (posture or whatever) that is adding to my misery.
Ahhh, thanks for sharing your experiences with physio- and sorry to throw you dizzylizzy on what I was harping on about!
I was surprised to hear so many of you have positive experiences of it. But i also note that you don’t seem to have 2 or 3 sessions a week, like my physio recommends- which I can’t afford! £44 for half an hour twice a week, is really out of my budget and once a week is pretty tight too… I’m not convinced iv seen much of an improvement that I would t of seen without it over time… Perhaps it’s more wise to attend once a Fortnight or when things feel theyve seized up a bit…
Thanks for your replies.
Missmoss,
Does your physio want you to have 2-3 sessions a week forever or just until you get your current issues ironed out? I would hope the latter.
I have problems with my back (scoliosis) and TMJ. I have splint for the latter and have for the former, over the years, tried chiro (hated it), osteo (quite like it but these days find it too intense), physio (excellent) and massage (great for ‘maintenance’ and also general relaxation). My physio only ever tells me to come in if I have problems, not general tune ups. My health fund does chip in a bit but I’m still out of pocket about $40 per visit.
Vic
Go a couple times if you can afford to and they will send you home with exercises that you can do on your own. All the exercises seem pretty basic, but I think they are worth a try. Get your boyfriend to massage you neck for you. Most everything you do there can be done at home. Whenever I feel a bit dizzy, I do the exercises and I think they help me feel better. (they may make you dizzier while you do them but in the end they help)
My health insurance changed this year, so this MAV sh*t has cost me over 1000$ out of pocket. And on top of all that short term disabily is less than 1/2 my normal salary! I soooooo can’t wait to get back to work!!!
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But i also note that you don’t seem to have 2 or 3 sessions a week, like my physio recommends
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I have to say this sounds very unusual for a physio to suggest you have to go 2-3 times every week. This is the sort of stuff a chiropractor will bang on about. What is the rationale for requiring this many visits and without a stop date? A physio should see you for a few sessions and take stock along the way. Usually after the second round they should tell you to call if the problem returns. My physio makes a point of NOT wanting me to return. I am supposed to get better.
S 8)
Scott- My PT has suggested 2 sessions per week. They measure their treatment by how well you respond with the ultimate goal of total compensation. (which I am sure they see with some vetibular patients) Mine suggested to continue going until my symptoms improve and/or through my return to work. I have to admit that the exercises do help me feel better, and apparantly my neck is just a mess, which they take time every session to work with. They are not like chiropractors, who would like to treat you for life. I do have home exercises to do, but they do more vigorous exercises in therapy.
Hi Jen – I just reread and had missed the part about you having VRT at the appts. Now I get it. Makes sense as VRT is obviously an ongoing process. I really hope this works out for you. Has the massage ever made you feel worse afterwards? It can go either way for me. :?
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PT said that neck issues can cause migraine, and migraine can also cause neck issues. You may never know which happened first, but its definitely worth getting it worked on.
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Spot on.
Scott