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.
Hi Dan,
Thanks for this information. It’s quite timely as well, given that we have been hearing in the news recently about people getting botox injected into their skulls to relieve migraines! A shiatsu treatment has to be a better alternative to that. Can I just ask you to clarify what you mean when you write ‘clear’ the lower legs, etc?
Many thanks,
Ettaline
Hi Dan
Thanks for this. I agree with Ettaline, I was shocked to hear on the Today Programme that the NHS was going to offer Botox injections to relieve migraines “as a last resort”, shiatsu or any type of body work has to be better than that!
I wasn’t sure what you meant by “clear” the lower legs and thighs, front and back.
Would you recommend this method at any time during the migraine cycle? Friends have told me that they feel a migraine coming on sometimes days before the pain really kicks in. Some people cannot even leave the house once a migraine has taken hold and I wondered if body work might just be too much for them in those circumstances in which case I would encourage them to book a session before the pain really takes hold.
Thanks for the comments Tony and Ettaline. Of course it is always better to work with migraines as soon as they feel any kind of symptom or their indicators. Taking the presented symptoms, translate this into organ/meridian functions and responsibilities, e.g. pains at the side of head = Gallbladder, pain behind the eyes = Liver /Heart.
It is imperative that Governing Vessel and Conception Vessel are functioning so use the techniques you have to ensure that these are clear and that Qi is flowing. If you haven’t had teaching or experience of these I could address this quickly in the practice class in September if we have time.
Clearing the legs:
The ends of meridians are usually the most effective to encourage Qi flow so address all of the toes with greater attention to those which carry the presented symptoms ,e.g Gallbladder or Liver or Heart. Look to achieve no pain on pressure and good movement at the joints of the toes, metatarsals and calcaneal tendon. You then need to find which meridians in the lower leg and thighs are painful, tight, stagnant,stuck or empty; anything showing poor/no Qi flow. Pain or notable lack of sensation is a great indicator. If there is no pain, decide whether what you are touching has good Qi flow or no Qi flow. Your palpation skills and client feedback should be sufficient to help you decide.
Do you have specific techniques for clearing stuck Qi. If so,what would they be?
Some of this work could well be uncomfortable for the client particularly in areas of excess and stagnation e.g. Large Intestine in extension in the calf. Support your client verbally and shift it. This means pressure, movement of any description and stretching. Tell them that eventually the pain WILL go. Of course you are not brutal, but you are persistent at a pain level that is tolerable for the client. Encourage them to make some noise, SHOUT, not you,the client! This shifts Liver Qi.
Repeat the same process in the thighs and buttocks. Wherever you find tension or poor Qi flow use your skills to create “Smooth Flow”. Be inventive, create movement and during and after the session, ensure that the client is talking with you, indicating improvement,or not, of their condition.
Don’t be afraid to change the direction of your treatment as you work if you feel the need.
When I work with clients with migraines I am constantly asking what makes it better for them. I also find the odd joke helps.
For people in the middle of a migraine, deep gentle pressure into Kidney Yu point, Governing Vessel and the backs of the thighs and lower legs often brings a level of relief which enables them to function better.Treatment is daily until it clears.
I hope this answers the question. Let me know if you need more clarity.
Dan
Thanks for the explanation Dan and also for the video. Waiting now for a client with this issue!