migraines and omt

[butterfl2005]

isn't omt appropriate for headaches, but contraindicated in migraines????





......fyi took comlex pe yesterday and although it was stressful, it wasn't difficult to figure out diagnoses. very straightforward. more than enough time to wrote soapnotes.

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[OMMFellow06]

isn't omt appropriate for headaches, but contraindicated in migraines????


......fyi took comlex pe yesterday and although it was stressful, it wasn't difficult to figure out diagnoses. very straightforward. more than enough time to wrote soapnotes.

OMT is definitely NOT contraindicated in migraine HA. OMT can be a used as a preventative measure in treating migraines. If you look at the pathophys of migraines, it involves vessels, muscles and the sympathetic nervous system, all of which can be treated using OMT. You can easily release muscle spasms that may be found in the head, the neck, and the thoracic spine which will increase blood flow throughout the body. As far as the sympathetics go, you can release the ribs using BLT/LAS to normalize the sympathetics.

There are very few things that OMT is contraindicated for and most involve HVLA. Lucky for us, we have so many others techniques in our arsenals.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

OMMFellow06

 

[Marianne11]

I don't get migraines, but I get that aura visual thing that lasts for 30 minutes or so before it leaves your visual field. It is scary (strange growing optical scotomoa), and I fear I'll get one during class sometime. Do you think OMM could stop the aura when it starts?

 

[bones]

I don't get migraines, but I get that aura visual thing that lasts for 30 minutes or so before it leaves your visual field. It is scary (strange growing optical scotomoa), and I fear I'll get one during class sometime. Do you think OMM could stop the aura when it starts?

You havent given us enough information to make a diagnosis, and even if you did- this forum isnt' meant to give medical advice. I can only suggest you see your physician about your symptoms.


As far as migraines are concerned though, yes OMT can be helpful. Cranial seems to be able to cut them out on the spot in many cases (going from unable to stand light or sounds and in extreme pain to relaxed and normal within a few seconds- suprising even when you've seen it many times). Just because you fix the symptoms doesnt mean they wont come back though. For long term care- your main goal is to decrease frequency and severity of headaches. PINS and cranial techniques (and fascial techniques for migraines with prominent musculoskeletal triggers) seem to help with long term management. I can't say I've seen anyone with severe migraines "cured" with omt- but many patients can resume normal lives and have headaches only in times of extreme stress (going from daily to perhaps less than once a month).

no, OMT is not contraindicated in migraines (and is often indicated)- but you need to rule out serious pathology before you assume any serious headache is a migraine and treat with only OMT.

 

[yourworstnightmare]

You havent given us enough information to make a diagnosis, and even if you did- this forum isnt' meant to give medical advice. I can only suggest you see your physician about your symptoms.


Marianne,

Bones would be right. Need more information but, as a DC I treat migraines frequently through CMT and it is quite effective. There was a study done by Duke University a couple years ago. You may also want to check JMPT
(Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics) for other studies covering CMT and migraines. I often suggest patients explore "trigger" mechanisms, which may trigger the onset of a migraine prodrome. Examples of which vary from diet (such as caffiene, aged cheeses, certain wines with high tannins, MSG in foods,etc). I have also seen triggers from hormonal fluctations and a case where the patient was skipping evening meals.

😉
YWNM

 

[Aloha Kid]

Just got done rotating with a Headache specialist. Here's a few points that stand out in my head.

1. The vascular theory is outdated, instead the neurovascular theory is way IN.

2. Once a migrainer, always a migrainer.

3. OMT can prevent or calm triggers such as cervical dysfuction etc., but once a migraine is triggered . . . . TROUBLE.

4 OMT doesn't always work for everyone.

5. There is NO reason for narcotics in the treatment of migraines.

6. Careful with medication overuse headaches.

7. Pray you never get a headache everyday for 10 years.

8. Pray you never end up like the 20 year old female patient who has tried every single headache medication and is now is relying on methadone to treat her headaches.

 

[CTashby]

is there anything in Foundations concerning the treatment of migraines. Or would i need to consult a different source?

another question concerning the use of cranial: I've heard of a technique called, "emotional release". Is this described in literature anywhere? can anyone explain this technique?

Its nice to have fellows online. thanks guys.

 

[macman]

Just got done rotating with a Headache specialist. Here's a few points that stand out in my head.

1. The vascular theory is outdated, instead the neurovascular theory is way IN.

2. Once a migrainer, always a migrainer.

3. OMT can prevent or calm triggers such as cervical dysfuction etc., but once a migraine is triggered . . . . TROUBLE.

4 OMT doesn't always work for everyone.

5. There is NO reason for narcotics in the treatment of migraines.

6. Careful with medication overuse headaches.

7. Pray you never get a headache everyday for 10 years.

8. Pray you never end up like the 20 year old female patient who has tried every single headache medication and is now is relying on methadone to treat her headaches.

I take issue with #2.....I no longer have migraines at all. I discovered my trigger was gluten and since I now avoid it I do not get them at all. If I cheat I will surely get one. I think most physicians do not look at diet/lifestyle enough. Most american mds/dos/etc. disregard wheat as a significant migraine trigger, but a british migraine book I read lists it as a #1 cause!!!! Forget chocolate and red wine (which never bothered me) I encourage the OP to try a gluten free diet. Check out celiac.com for great message boards and other info.

 

[yourworstnightmare]

I take issue with #2.....I no longer have migraines at all. I discovered my trigger was gluten and since I now avoid it I do not get them at all. If I cheat I will surely get one. I think most physicians do not look at diet/lifestyle enough. Most american mds/dos/etc. disregard wheat as a significant migraine trigger, but a british migraine book I read lists it as a #1 cause!!!! Forget chocolate and red wine (which never bothered me) I encourage the OP to try a gluten free diet. Check out celiac.com for great message boards and other info.

I would agree with gluten being a trigger. Going one step further, there can be issues with omega-6 fatty acids, which develop in high levels in certain people. This prompts the production of arachadonic acid which his hell on nerve endings. What to do? Lower your grain intake (grains are high in omega-6 FAs) and increase your omega-3 fatty acids. I have found that some patients who are grain-aholics can modify their grain intake and take omega-3 fish oil and report much fewer migraines.

I would suggest alohakid (if female) to have an endocrinologist look at her estrogen levels.

YWNM 👍