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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
My 12 yr old daughter has had migraines for 5 years, what should I do next?
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She has suffered for 5 years. At first they were not often but then came in cycles - one - two every week for a couple of months, then none for a couple of months. Lately they have been constantly coming every week and the pain has intensified. The only thing that helps is sleep, nurofen and 50% of the time she will vomit. The pain is at the front of the head on both sides, she wakes up with it in the morning so no warning and generally only lasts a day. She started high school this year and has already missed 2 days. I feel helpless and don't know what else to do. She has had MRI, seen many doctors, who say not to worry about her missing so much school and that she is too young for migraines and some even say she is faking! I am at a loss and frustrated that my daughter has to go through this. I am waiting for an appointment with a paediatrician. (4 months away). Please give me some ideas on what I can do to help or who else I can see. -
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Brian Lee
Physiotherapist
I graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2004 and have worked in various healthcare settings, including primary care, private practice and community health services, … View Profile
If she already had MRI but nothing was found, then to me as a physio, it's generally a good sign. From your description re the area of her migrane, I would think it's of neck origin. I would suggest that she sees a physio next. It would generally take 1-3 sessions for a physio to confirm whether her migraine is neck related; if not, I would expect him to communicate with GP re his finding, which can assist GP to further narrow down its possible causes.
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Mr Roger O'Toole
Physiotherapist
Roger O'Toole is the Director and senior clinician of The Melbourne Headache Centre. Since opening the Melbourne Headache Centre in 2012 Roger has amassed over … View Profile
Your frustration is entirely understandable and you are not alone. The current satisfaction rate with the medical approach to migraines is only 20-25% *.
My colleague Brian is on the right track, but it should not take 3 sessions to figure out if the neck is relevant. The techniques used at my clinic (known as the Watson Headache (R) Approach, have been developed specifically to assess and treat the role of the neck in all forms of headache.
We know that people suffering migraine have an overactivity in the trigeminal nucleus of the brainstem (the trigeminal nerve recieves all input from the head and face - the 'headache' nerve). The three nerves from the top of the neck feed directly into this trigeminal nucleus and are in the box seat to be causing this overstimulation.
During he first assessment we test whether there is a condition in the top of the neck that could cause this overactivity, whether it is reversible, and whether it is directly relevant to your daughters migraine. If it isn't we don't treat, so you won't need 3 session to find out.
If the neck is relevant then we treat over a two week period to establish changes and expect to see changes in this time, regardless of how long symptoms have been present.
If you are not in Melbourne I can try and direct you to a clinic or practioner nearby. Feel free to contact me directly at Melbourne Headache Centre or via Healthshare.
Regards, Roger
* Migraine Impact Australia - 81% of migraine sufferers looking for a better, more effective solution - Synopsis available under Google search "Migraine MIsery Spiralling Out of Control"
*Migraine Research Foundation (USA) - Only 25% satisfied with current medical management
https://migraine.com/graphics/in-america-studies/migraine-in-america-treatment/
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Joy Anderson
Dietitian, Nutritionist
Joy is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Nutritionist, as well as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She has a special interest in … View Profile
Great suggestions from the physios. Certainly worth checking this out. I just wanted to add that in some cases of headache and migraine, intolerance to food chemicals can be playing a part. These include additives, salicylates, amines or glutamates, or even some whole foods like dairy or wheat. More information about food chemicals can be found at allergy.net.au or fedup.com.au .
To investigate this direction, you can find an Accredited Practising Dietitian at the Dietitians Association of Australia website at daa.asn.au ('Find and Accredited Practising Dietitian' search, and select for allergy and food sensitivity in area of interest), or see the Food Intolerance Network website at fedup.com.au under 'Support'.
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Dr Ben Schutte
Chiropractor
I am a vitalistic chiropractor. Vitalism as a concept, in part, means that the whole is much more than the some of the parts. The … View Profile
What a delemma for you. You love your daughter and you want the best for her. Good on you for connecting with healthshare.
Roger O'Toole is certainly correct about how the upper neck nerves meld with the facial nerves. So a problem in the neck can easily give referred pain in the are of the controlled by the Trigeminal nerve. Migraines may also be initiated abnormal movement of the facial and or skull bones. Some chiropractors and osteopaths specialise in cranial work ( which also includes working on the sacrum ( tailbone). So a chiropractor who has experience working with children is another good place to further your quest for resolution of your daughter's migraines.
Joy Anderson is also correct in suggesting food sensitivity or worse still allergy is yet another cause impacting on her at the same time.
Dr Ben Schutte, chiropractor
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