Today I had my first VT appointment with a wonderful therapist. I was skeptical about how much insight a physical therapist at a small hospital in Midcoast Maine would be able to give me, but I also figured ah, what the heck, it can’t hurt, right? Well, I’m so very glad I went! The PT (who, as it turns out, is also a fellow migraine sufferer) checked a set of muscles at the base of the skull that, when tight, can cause migraines (I’m sure a lot of you know about these muscles already but it was news to me). She said mine were literally like cement. She massaged then for a while which hurt and caused symptoms as she was working on me, but I felt wonderful afterwards. She encouraged me to try and fall asleep with my chin tucked towards my chest (vs. pointing up and away) and to do exercises throughout the day that stretch the muscles at the base of the skull. Last but not least, she told me about a piece of equipment called a Stillpoint Inducer. She uses one and has recommended it to her patients over the years with great success. They are also called Cranial Cradles. She says for her they have been a life saver. I just bought one online (they’re not too expensive… $42) and I’ll let you all know how it goes. Would love to know if anyone else has experience with this piece of equipment!
Never heard of a ‘Stillpoint Inducer’. Sorry.
Never know whether the tight muscles are cause or effect but as you say most here would have no trouble locating those muscles. In my own case I’d say the tightness is the effect, a main effect of having a balance disorder such as MAV. Someway the brain is trying to keep the head from giving it false information when it moves by keeping it stationery. I had a stiff neck permanently for about three years. As your PT described ‘like cement’. My sister-in-law who is trained in massage was wary of touching it because of the MAV and the effect it might have on my spinal cord.
PTs are very keen on relaxing neck muscles. That’s why they often start sessions with some sort of ‘Rolling The Shoulders’ type exercises. Apparently if people carry out PT working against tight muscles they would actually be ‘reprogramming’ their brains to respond in the exact opposite way to that which was intended. Shows how important it is I guess. Helen
Can you send us the link?
Cranial cradles are awesome. They are the best to manage occipital neuralgia. I use them regularly.
This is the one i use
That’s the exact one my PT recommended and the one I bought! Thanks @GetBetter!