Migraine

I have my first biofeedback appointment scheduled for Monday. Does anyone have any experience with it? I'd love to hear your stories - success or otherwise.

Thanks in advance!

Yes! I had biofeedback training when I was an inpatient in the hospital. They had me go to a couple of sessions a day each day I was there (7 days). That was almost 2 years ago though, so sorry if my explanation has some holses in it. But, I still use principles all the time. Actually, I was using it yesterday! I don't know if it actually has arrested any migraine cycles, but it definitley calms and relaxes me which contributes to decreasing the intensity of my headaches. So, I'm all for it.

Basically, they place electrodes (you don't feel a thing) on the part of the body/muscle you are working on; the electrode measures the amount of muscle tension you are carrying in that muscle...your forehead for example. The machine gives feedback (noise and visual image)in relation to the tenseness of the muscle. So, you learn that by decreasing the intensity of hte noise and the visual image, you are decreasing your muscle tension. Basically you learn to relax. I thought I knew how to relax my muscles. I thought they were relaxed, but it is actually different. I learned a new position for a relaxed jaw. And it is great b/c I always clenched my jaw!
I should probably go back for a refresher!

I also learned to "warm my hands." Sounds weird but it is great! I don't know if they'll do this with you or not. But, they basically measured the temperature of my hands and I intentionally tried to increase the temperature of my hands by thinking of visuals like a warm mittens or a hot mug of coffee or a sunset. Physically, I am drawing the blood from my head down to my extremities. I really can't remember how this is supposed to help with miraines; maybe another poster can help with this one. Or maybe you can find out for me if they do it with you! It took me a while to master this. But, I can do it now. I just had to find the right images. But, this also helps to calm my head.

So, that is my $.02. I hope I didn't confuse you at all. Like I said it has been a couple years since I've gone and I don't know if they all do it the same. I hope that you have a good experience! Let me know how it goes!

Kelly

My biofeedback "training" was similar to Kelly's. It is a wonderful tool for me to relax but doesn't help too much with my head pain.

For some people it works really well for Migraine attacks.

Good luck and keep an open mind!

What Kelly says is correct! You 'draw' the heat - pain - down from your head through your body and out your hands or feet (the hands are closer and you go through fewer muscles).

It sounds complicated, but it really isn't. You can do this to relaxation music, or not. You can 'hmmmm' to yourself - I know, I know - so silly, stupid. I really thought so too. But I have successfully used this instead - most of the time - of my narcotics, as I cannot use triptans for over 15 years.

But you must and I truly mean MUST believe that it will work. If not, you're beating your head against the wall (please forgive the HORRIBLE pun)

Good Luck, Gilda

Kelly, Nancy and Gilda - thanks for your responses! I'm feeling optimistic that this will at least help me relax during a migraine, since I do get very anxious at times. I'll post later today and let everyone know how my first visit went!

Thanks again!

We'll be waiting.

A little bit later than I had hoped, but here is an update about my first biofeedback appointment.

I met with the physical therapist on Monday. She first went through all the intake paperwork and asked questions to clarify about my health history and the current migraine/headache cycle. She then explained about biofeedback and the relaxation techniques she would be teaching me.

She hooked me up to the computer, with electrodes attached to my forehead (where my CDH pain usually is) and my neck (since I carry a lot of tension in my neck and shoulders). Right off the bat, she adjusted my posture which made a significant difference in my neck tension.

She then took me through some breathing exercises - breathing from the diaphragm - which were very familiar to me as I've been a clarinet player since fifth grade. After that, she had me lay down and close my eyes as she took me through a relaxation exercise. I have two follow-up appointments scheduled for the next two weeks.

I think that biofeedback will definitely help me. I get very anxious when my headaches or migraines get bad, and I can't focus on anything but the pain. Biofeedback will help with both of these problems, I think. I also tried some of the relaxation at my acupuncture appointment on Tuesday, and I did feel much less tense from it.

Anyway, I think that this will be good for me. Like she said, pain is the result of a sensation (which we can't control) and our reaction (which we can control). I don't think it will be the magic cure-all, but at this point, I will take any relief I can get.

Oh, and I tried some of the relaxation last night when I got hit with a migraine, and it did at least calm me down and help me focus on something other than the pain.

MJ,

Thanks for the update! I'm so glad it was a positive experience for you!

I agree with you, I've found that relaxation is something that gives me control. I mentioned in another post that I have anxiety and sometimes when the migraines come, I just panic. But, the relaxation really helps me to calm and see that I am okay. My head pain is okay. Like you said, I can control my response even when I can't control the pain.

I was in choir since elementary, so like you, breathing from my diaphram was something I was familiar with. Sometimes when I'm getting a migraine or head pain, I'll just lay in bed and focus on diaphramatic breathing. Sometimes it is the only thing I can focus on! Anything else is just too stimulating!

Like you said, if we can feel we are in control of our reaction, that is huge! Sounds like you are doing some really great things that will help in your toolbox. Or I guess that is what I call it. I have like a toolbox of things I try when i'm in pain...deep breathing and relaxing my body and heating my hands and reading calming/reassuring verses/statements and pilates ect ect ect...
Sounds like it is good that you're adding this and acupuncture to your toolbox.

Kelly

Kelly - a "toolbox" is exactly how I think of it, too! Acupuncture and biofeedback are definitely part of it now. Other tools in there are ice packs for my head, cooling gel packs for my head if I'm going to sleep, hot water for my feet, a lot of lavender products, herbal tea, etc etc.

I feel like I need a lot of different options depending on where I am when the migraine hits and how the migraine reacts to different tools. I'm looking forward to my next couple biofeedback appointments to add even more options!

As I told you guys in previous posts, I'm all about the relaxation deal and mentally pushing the pain away.

So, my question is this...can I include mindless television in my toolbox?

quote:

Originally posted by LauraM:
So, my question is this...can I include mindless television in my toolbox?

LOL, of course you can! It's one of my favorites, when cross-stitching or crocheting or reading are too much. Mindless tv is a great tool!

Hi MJ

Thanks for the update. The great thing about biofeedback is it really can't hurt!

Thought I would give an update, since I had my second biofeedback appointment yesterday.

Things went pretty well. The therapist hooked me up to the machine to check the muscle tension in my neck and jaw (last time she did my neck and forehead). She said that it looks like I know *how* to relax, so she's not sure how much muscle tension contributes to my headaches and migraines.

She suggested that I try doing a 15-30 minute relaxation exercise for at least 5 days before next Monday. She's going to give me a call next Monday (instead of me driving all the way to her office) to see how I'm feeling.

She's also talking to a woman that owns a tai chi place specifically geared for those with chronic pain, to see if there's somewhere she recommends closer to home.

So, the appointment went well. It's hard to tell if any muscle tension is contributing to my head pain, but at the very least I've learned some great relaxation techniques to add to my toolbox.

MJ, how is the biofeedback going for you?

I was glad to find this thread. After meeting with my first headache specialist, he suggested biofeedback.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Liz

quote:

Originally posted by Liz:
MJ, how is the biofeedback going for you?

I was glad to find this thread. After meeting with my first headache specialist, he suggested biofeedback.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Liz

I only ended up doing two sessions of biofeedback with my physical therapist. She taught me a few breathing/relaxation exercises that are very helpful for me, especially to calm the anxiety I get when I'm in a lot of pain. She also showed me how to fix my posture so less strain is put on my neck.

I would definitely recommend trying biofeedback, especially if your HA specialist suggests it for you. If nothing else, it will give you some more tools for your toolbox.

Let me know if you want more detail, or have any other questions. I'd be happy to share my experience with you!