Discussion
I've suffered from migraines for years but have mainly controlled them very well through diet and being careful about sleeping and eating reguarly.
Over the last few months I've had significantly more "cluster" migraines and had been at a loss to work out why.
It now occurs to me that over the last few months I've also had some neck discomfort. I don't remember "doing" anything so I don't think it's an injury I think it might be a combination of a new desk layout at work and a lack of exercise. My neck is quite stiff and "clicky" and the muscles in the side feel very tight.
I know migraines are often connected with constriction of blood vessels and tension and I'm wondering if there is a connection.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this generally and specifically how to exercise my neck to relax the muscles and reduce the tension? Also suggestions for decent pillows - are the "formed" ones effective?
Over the last few months I've had significantly more "cluster" migraines and had been at a loss to work out why.
It now occurs to me that over the last few months I've also had some neck discomfort. I don't remember "doing" anything so I don't think it's an injury I think it might be a combination of a new desk layout at work and a lack of exercise. My neck is quite stiff and "clicky" and the muscles in the side feel very tight.
I know migraines are often connected with constriction of blood vessels and tension and I'm wondering if there is a connection.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this generally and specifically how to exercise my neck to relax the muscles and reduce the tension? Also suggestions for decent pillows - are the "formed" ones effective?
My osteopath makes bold claims. He says if you go to him with a migraine then he guarantees to cure it there and then. Otherwise he doesn't charge. I know somebody else who went to him for migraines and they haven't had one since. (I'm in Bedfordshire)
Find yourself a local osteopath and speak to them.
Find yourself a local osteopath and speak to them.
Go and see a physio/osteopath. Ideally get a recommendation from someone rather than just looking in the phone book (As it happens I can recommend someone in Bristol
)
Your posture is probably relevant, but it sounds like it is an aggravating factor of an old problem rather than the root cause. A decent practitioner will sort you out and teach you the exercises you need to keep yourself sorted.
Re pillows: they work for some people, but not for others. There is such a range of sizes and shapes of people (and different mattresses) that it's hard to predict who they'll work for. A neat trick is to roll a towel up so it's about 2 inches across and tuck it into the long side of your pillow case. Then sleep with that tucked into the side of your neck. Unless you sleep on your front, in which case it will probably throttle you
) Your posture is probably relevant, but it sounds like it is an aggravating factor of an old problem rather than the root cause. A decent practitioner will sort you out and teach you the exercises you need to keep yourself sorted.
Re pillows: they work for some people, but not for others. There is such a range of sizes and shapes of people (and different mattresses) that it's hard to predict who they'll work for. A neat trick is to roll a towel up so it's about 2 inches across and tuck it into the long side of your pillow case. Then sleep with that tucked into the side of your neck. Unless you sleep on your front, in which case it will probably throttle you
Thanks for the thoughts guys, I've got BUPA cover so I'll investigate what I can get in the way of physio/osteopathy (sp?) under that. I'm just about to change jobs and really do need to get this sorted.
On that point does anyone know how BUPA will deal with me making a claim and then leaving the scheme (not sure who new employer uses) - is it a case of the claim occuring whilst I was covered so they'll continue to pay?
Mechsympathy - can you drop me the name of someone you'd recommend - I was just off to the South West forum to ask for recommendations! I'll also try the towel and pillowcase approach. Being a girl sleeping on my front comes with it's own difficulties anyway!!
Thanks again - any more thoughts welcome...
On that point does anyone know how BUPA will deal with me making a claim and then leaving the scheme (not sure who new employer uses) - is it a case of the claim occuring whilst I was covered so they'll continue to pay?
Mechsympathy - can you drop me the name of someone you'd recommend - I was just off to the South West forum to ask for recommendations! I'll also try the towel and pillowcase approach. Being a girl sleeping on my front comes with it's own difficulties anyway!!
Thanks again - any more thoughts welcome...
Are you sure what you are experiencing is migraines?.
I was suffering from bad headaches and my doctor said it was due to tension in my neck muscles. I find if I do neck stretching exercises then I can prevent the headaches returning.
You link your hands behind your neck (to support the vertebra) then push your head forwards, and then stretch it back.
I was suffering from bad headaches and my doctor said it was due to tension in my neck muscles. I find if I do neck stretching exercises then I can prevent the headaches returning.
You link your hands behind your neck (to support the vertebra) then push your head forwards, and then stretch it back.
Hmm... oesteopaths. Must admit I'm not a huge fan (bad personal experience), but if you decide to use one make sure they are GOsC registered so they conform to the Osteopath Act of 1993. They're not actually MD's so the Act and GOsC ensure they do meet a given standard.
Migraines are funny things, and can be brought on by all sorts of stuff. Personally I find that if I've been a bit stressed and then relax that's when I get them. Odd eh?
BUPA will cover an osteopath IIRC on most of their policies... or they certainly used too. If you're moving jobs then I'd make sure that you continue cover with BUPA, or wait until you've moved... you don't want them billing you. (It gets expensive - trust me!).
In order to use BUPA you'll need a referral anyway, so get the doctor to have a look see if there is anything obvious. When I suffered with migraines I had a CAT scan and some other tests, so don't be alarmed if they go that route.
As for what you are doing now... look at your posture when sitting... at work, at home AND in the car. The number of people who lean back in their car seats (it looks cool
) amazes me. Make sure the seat supports you. Sit properly, don't slouch. It's not fun in the beginning, but you get used to it.
Make sure you have a decent matress... maybe turn it if you haven't done it for a while. Bin your old pillows and buy some new ones. Just because something says it's "ergonomic" does not mean it is...
Psychobert and I had a good laugh at this recently with regards to a keyboard claiming it was ergonomic... :sigh: Look at how you are supposed to sleep, use one good pillow, not two... you can try a hot or cold compress on your neck prior to going to sleep, see if that helps.
Consider what you do during the day. Remember that pretty much everything is linked to your spine and neck in some way... are you using your arms differently... it could be an Upper Limb problem..?
Like a car, it's hard to help without being there, but as with Gh0st's recent problem I would recommend you see a professional.
Migraines are funny things, and can be brought on by all sorts of stuff. Personally I find that if I've been a bit stressed and then relax that's when I get them. Odd eh?
BUPA will cover an osteopath IIRC on most of their policies... or they certainly used too. If you're moving jobs then I'd make sure that you continue cover with BUPA, or wait until you've moved... you don't want them billing you. (It gets expensive - trust me!).
In order to use BUPA you'll need a referral anyway, so get the doctor to have a look see if there is anything obvious. When I suffered with migraines I had a CAT scan and some other tests, so don't be alarmed if they go that route.
As for what you are doing now... look at your posture when sitting... at work, at home AND in the car. The number of people who lean back in their car seats (it looks cool
) amazes me. Make sure the seat supports you. Sit properly, don't slouch. It's not fun in the beginning, but you get used to it. Make sure you have a decent matress... maybe turn it if you haven't done it for a while. Bin your old pillows and buy some new ones. Just because something says it's "ergonomic" does not mean it is...
Psychobert and I had a good laugh at this recently with regards to a keyboard claiming it was ergonomic... :sigh: Look at how you are supposed to sleep, use one good pillow, not two... you can try a hot or cold compress on your neck prior to going to sleep, see if that helps. Consider what you do during the day. Remember that pretty much everything is linked to your spine and neck in some way... are you using your arms differently... it could be an Upper Limb problem..?
Like a car, it's hard to help without being there, but as with Gh0st's recent problem I would recommend you see a professional.
Piglet said:
On that point does anyone know how BUPA will deal with me making a claim and then leaving the scheme (not sure who new employer uses) - is it a case of the claim occuring whilst I was covered so they'll continue to pay?
The new policy takes over payment from the date the change is made. It's not usually a problem.
Piglet said:
Mechsympathy - can you drop me the name of someone you'd recommend - I was just off to the South West forum to ask for recommendations! I'll also try the towel and pillowcase approach. Being a girl sleeping on my front comes with it's own difficulties anyway!!
YHM LOL
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