Migraine is one of those conditions that you are bound to come across in your practice. Crippling pain, nausea and the sheer intrusion of this condition into the sufferer’s life means that many will be looking desperately for an answer to their problem. As a shiatsu practitioner you may well be a last ditch attempt. It can be daunting to feel like the last hope so where to start?
Here’s a few thoughts on the subject based on my experience and a short suggested treatment plan to try.
There are no nerves in the brain to register pain. Excess pressure is the reason for all types of headache/migraine. The pressure comes from the fluids which flow into and out of the brain not having “smooth flow”. Those are my favourite words for describing Liver Qi.
Pain in the eyes indicates some blockage to the optic nerve, once again caused by pressure. Releasing this pressure is where you need to start. Look at the 3 TCM causes of disease.
a. Accidents and Parasites
b. The 7 Emotions
c. The 5 Climates
Decide in your clients, what are the combinations of a b and c?
Find out the client’s priorities. From the 3 Causes of disease, what is really affecting them negatively?
Start at the feet, holding the big toe and rock the whole body from this joint. CLICK HERE to see how to do this.
Clear the lower legs, this will probably be painful.
Clear the thighs, front and back.
Open the lower burner via the buttocks and perineum.
Now soften the muscles for necks and shoulders (remember they start from the PSIS)
Now focus into creating flexibility on G.V. Move into the neck, start in prone and move to supine.
Reduce sinus pressure via Bladder 10. Work Stomach 6 to reduce tension in the masseter.
In my experience the big problem is going to be the concept of Liver Qi. People are either controlled or controlling, usually both in different measure. In a situation where the Liver drains Kidney Qi, the courage to move into a different space is not available.
Whatever the emotional, psychological causes you may encounter, on a physical level you are looking at incredible tension in lower legs, buttocks, lower burner, backs, shoulders and necks.
So simple really!
This blog post was inspired by a great question from a practitioner. If you’d like to help me write a blog post, please email me info@danstretton.com with a question.