Migraine

Migraineurs often look for every avenue they can to find relief. Some regimes include lifestyle and dietary changes combined with Western and Eastern medicine. Trigger identification and management may play a large role in Migraine prevention for some. Others use complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, aromatherpy and biofeedback.


Continue reading Migraine and Neurofeedback - Complementary Therapy

Thanks, Nancy!

I've been wanting to try it- but it's too expensive (even if insurance covers it, considering my lack of income) & without a definate diagnosis, I'm in a netherworld in being unable to be prescribed treatments or medications.

It's interesting to see a different perspective... I know other people who have done it for sleep disorders and ADHD (issues that I also have) and have been very enthusiastic about neurofeedback helping them when traditional treatment hasn't. I guess like everything else, neurofeedback has its limitations. Neuroplasticity has been the recent "buzz word" in layman's society- which provides people unfamiliar with neuroscience think differently how brains function, but it's been almost brought up to mystical standards that it can do anything.

I am wondering if you have had any more feedback on this?

Our doctor has recently been trained in this area and wants to try it with Sarah. It is quite expensive but his wife, a personal friend, tried it just once and she realized almost immediately that her headache went away. He is anxious to try it with Sarah but I just wonder if it is worth it?

lovemykids411

Biofeedback was suggested by my HA specialist. I also found it to be too expensive to begin the sessions. However, I didn't want to discount any suggestion for improvement. (My insurance doesn't cover biofeedback on any level.)

As an alternative, I purchased a biofeedback CD. I enjoy using it, when I can, although I can't say that I've given it a good, consistent trial yet. I have four young children at home and finding quiet time for an hour is a real challenge for me.

My experience using the CD is that it's similar to yoga without the movement. The exercises are good when a migraine knocks me off my feet or with tension headaches.

I suppose I currently use it as a "tool" rather than a preventative now. Perhaps when I'm out of the toddler stage, I can give it more of a chance.

I'll be interested to read other's experiences.

Liz

I am a master of biofeedback. I can raise my hand temperature to 98 which is considered unbelievably good. I also take hypnotic suggestion really well. I had to pay out of pocket for my training but it was worth every penny.

The bad news for me is I can't abort a migraine with the biofeedback, I can only control my response to pain while I'm doing it.

Actually, the best thing I use it for is to make inserting an IV more possible. My veins are almost impossible to get a line into, but if they give me about 5 minutes to raise my hand temperature, they can always get the line right in. Really shocks the nurses I can tell you.

We've used hypnosis to help me to deal with mild migraine pain in the past. Maybe I ought to go get Dr. Elkins to help me reset my pain stopping behavior.

Tracie

Hi,

While neurofeedback relaxes me, it does not relieve my pain. But if you want to try it, find someone who is reputable at neurofeedback.

quote:

Originally posted by lovemykids411:
I am wondering if you have had any more feedback on this?

Our doctor has recently been trained in this area and wants to try it with Sarah. It is quite expensive but his wife, a personal friend, tried it just once and she realized almost immediately that her headache went away. He is anxious to try it with Sarah but I just wonder if it is worth it?

lovemykids411

I did biofeedback for about 3 months. It helped a teeny bit but not enough to make a big difference. It was very relaxing and I did learn techniques that help me relax that I am still using.

Isn't there a difference between biofeedback and neuro feedback? It is my understanding that our doctor does neuro feedback.

lovemykids411

Yes, there is a difference.

Neurobiofeedback uses EEG, while biofeedback does not. Biofeedback, the kind I did, uses the practicing of tensing and relaxing muscles and positive images.

Neurobiofeedback uses EEG wires attached to the head and a video game to get you to use your brain in a new way.

Does that help any??

Yes it does. Sarah has done biofeedback with no help although her doctor was sure it would make all the difference in the world. I am sure that it is quite useful for some but it didn't work for her.

I am almost positive we will be trying neurofeedback this time. I will keep you posted on how that goes.

Melanie