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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Neck Massage 
        
(Message started by: butterfly on Apr 1^st, 2007, 8:00pm)

Title: Neck Massage
Post by butterfly on Apr 1^st, 2007, 8:00pm

Hi everyone. My husband suffered clusters several times daily for a few months, but doesn't anymore. He'd been through the initial Dr.-prescribed treatments, none of which worked, and then went to see a holistic doctor. Along with acupuncture, diet changes, an eastern natural remedy in pill form, the Dr recommended a massage at the neck when you feel a headache start to come on. You grab the back of your neck with your thumb, index and middle finger, vigorously massaging up and down the ipper nape of your neck, from top to bottom, and then pinch and hold for a few seconds at the top of your neck, where it meets your head. Continue massaging until headache goes away. Sometimes it made them go away twice as fast, sometimes within minutes. It regulated the blood flow to your brain...If you've never heard of this technique, I hope you try it. He's been cluster-free for almost 2 years.

Wishing you all cluster free days.
Butterfly

Title: Re: Neck Massage
Post by ClusterChuck on Apr 1^st, 2007, 8:22pm

Good for him!!!

I am glad he has found something that works!

I hope he never has another one!

Chuck

Title: Re: Neck Massage
Post by Guiseppi on Apr 2^nd, 2007, 11:46am

I'm one of those who gets the big lump on my neck during an attack. If my wife really grinds on it it will bring me a small level of relief. Maybe notching down one or two clicks on the scale. I'm curious as to what is in the supplement he is taking as I suspect far more of his relief is coming from that then from the massage. Let us know what's in it when you get a chance. Congrats on the break and thanks for being a supporter, you guys rock our world!!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Neck Massage
Post by E-Double on Apr 2^nd, 2007, 12:44pm

I find that soft circular rubs on my "lump" helps during lower level hits.

I can feel the pain drain.

That being said, glad he found relief, but doubt that it works as a preventative or to break a cycle.

Good luck and tons of hugs

Title: Re: Neck Massage
Post by Redd on Apr 2^nd, 2007, 1:30pm

Easter Natural Remedy

Something containing Kudzu possibly?

Title: Re: Neck Massage
Post by butterfly on Apr 2^nd, 2007, 1:37pm

Thanks for the replies. I remember when my husband was going through it, how this site and everyone on these boards helped me so much. As for the pills Guiseppi, it was called "Celestial Mansion". (To be honest, I think the ingredients consisted of ground up insect shell among other strange things...I'll have to see if we still have the bottle around the house and let you know the ingredients) It was prescribed by a Dr of Chinese Medicine, - He had one round of accupuncture and took these pills for a few days. I suspect the accupunture helped, but he used to swear by these massages behind the neck. It seemed to do the trick each time. The headaches faded all together shortly after.
Being the wife of someone who was a sufferer, I genuinely hope you all find some relief from it. Thanks for all your wishes and good words. Strength and Hope and good vibes coming your way...I'll see if I have that bottle around and be back here if I do.

;)

Oh - He also found that breathing in steam helped a lot during an attack. I bought one of those home facial things that you put water into that emits steam (more comfortable than standing over a pot of water on the stove)....

Title: Re: Neck Massage
Post by Brewcrew on Apr 2^nd, 2007, 4:34pm

on 04/02/07 at 13:30:13, Redd wrote:

Easter Natural Remedy

Something containing Kudzu possibly?

Nope. Cadbury creme eggs, black jelly beans, and hollow chocolate rabbit ears. ;;D

Title: Re: Neck Massage
Post by pieface_49 on Apr 2^nd, 2007, 8:53pm

I don't know if it is a fallacy or not with me. I take my fingers and push behind the ear. There is a spot back there, perhaps your husband will let you know when you touch it or he already knows. Hurts and aches, but may help with alleviating the pain and perhaps reduce the length of time the hit lasts. I say I don't know if it is fallacy or not because the hit I experienced may have been a short one. A short hit is one of the reasons what works and what does not work for CH is hard to pinpoint. Also, what works for one, may not work for others.

I read this article previously because I was misdiagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia. Perhaps it has value?
http://www.acupuncture.com/conditions/trigemneurc.htm

I am researching and the Tianyou in this picture might be the spot I am talking about. Directly behind the ear below the bone.
http://www.massagetherapy-schools.net/massage-therapy-point-back-head.htm

Pfrimmer deep muscle therapy
http://spas.about.com/cs/massagetherapy/l/aa032299.htm

Here is an interesting find that suggests 60-80% of CH suffers have sleep apnea.
http://www.remedyfind.com/healthconditions/89

It is amazing see all the cures being offered, of course, for a price :). This was an interesting site I came across. There is no price for admission :). I suspect it may be run by some we know.
http://www.chhelp.org/maintopics.html

Another interesting article with information I have never seen.
https://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/cluster_headache.jsp

Anyone heard of this before? An excerpt from the site. "Cluster headache sufferers will stop at nothing to get relief. This often includes trips to the emergency room for Demerol or morphine shots. Prescription medications including Ergotamine, Imitrex, Vicodin, and other narcotic drugs are used. Because no headache is due to a Vicodin, ibuprofen, or Imitrex deficiency, these medications will never permanently cure the headaches. At best they give temporary relief, and the headache sufferer is only left to fearfully wait for the next attack. This is not the best approach. A much better approach is to correct the cause of the headache. The treatment to correct the cause is Prolotherapy."
http://www.prolonews.com/prolotherapy_newsletter_headaches.htm

Some more info with hopeful outcome. Excerpt: "Similar research is under way using an implanted stimulator in the hypothalamus, the area of the brain associated with the timing of cluster periods. Stimulation of the hypothalamus in a small number of people with severe, chronic cluster headaches has produced complete and long-term pain relief with no significant side effects."
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cluster-headache/DS00487/DSECTION=7

Some good advice on alternative therapies.
http://www.medifocushealth.com/NR019/Treatment-Options-for-Cluster-Headaches_Complementary-Therapies-for-Cluster-Headaches.php

This info may be good for me since my histamine levels are high during cycle. Excerpt: "Histamine is another suspected trigger of cluster headaches, and this response may be controlled with vitamin C and the bioflavonoids quercetin and bromelain (pineapple enzyme). Supplementation with essential fatty acids (EFA) will help decrease any inflammatory response."
http://healthresources.caremark.com/topic/topic100586626#7

NCAA final is coming on. Hope y'all have a PF night.

Title: Re: Neck Massage
Post by chrisw on Apr 3^rd, 2007, 9:20am

maybe there is something to this prolotherapy thing. For years I couldnt figure out why rubbing the back of my neck and bottom of my head, where the neck meets the head seemed to help somewhat, especially if I was awake when a hit was coming, and I could get to it fast enough.

chrisw

Title: Re: Neck Massage
Post by Charlie on Apr 3^rd, 2007, 10:35pm

Anything that works on this horror is good.

Just thought this would be a good place to add my technique:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.

Charlie

Title: Re: Neck Massage
Post by hikerguy on Apr 4^th, 2007, 4:26pm

I've always found that grinding a thumb into my neck where the lump is brings the pain down somewhat not all the time just the lower level hits I think I just have to ride out the big hits ....as usual but hey at least it wont kill me.. ;)