Myofascial release

I know I've seen people mention myofascial release, but when I search it doesn't come up so I thought I'd ask.

Has anyone tried this for migraines? I know I've read about it and decided to try it two weeks ago.

It's really different and hard to describe. I'm not seeing huge, lasting changes yet. I'm also doing relaxation and imaging from a CD I purchased from my myofascial release (MFR) therapist.

The biggest change I've seen is in my jaw. I went in Saturday and had only eaten soup for two weeks. Now I'm chewing soft foods. It was amazing how the pain in my jaw referred to my neck pain which referred to my head. It stopped the migraine for that day but it did come back the next day and I was very sore.

I'm just wondering if anyone has seen lasting results from this therapy. I figure anything is worth a try in the search for pain relief.

Thanks - Cathy

Cathy. I know about jaw pain. Tmj. And I know about trigger points that cause myofascial pain.

This sounds hopeful from your post

Xx

I've never heard of "Myofascial Release". Can you explain what this is?

Also, relaxation and imaging; the name sounds like a form of Biofeedback or Mindfullness (UK).

Dan trigger points form in muscles. Any muscles. They cause referred pain. If they can be found and released pain should go. My husband got some from physio yesterday for tennis elbow. Tmj often treated this way.
Look for trigger point therapy.

Dan - Pen's explanation is exactly it. They just find a point that is the problem and take a type of contact - might be a finger, whole arm, or hand that they have on you. He also will move my arms while maintaining a contact in my shoulder or chest. It's hard to explain. Here is the link with more info on the method my therapist uses, the John Barnes method:
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When I went in, I had such jaw pain I hadn't slept right in 2 weeks and was living on soup, jello and applesauce. I am now eating soft sandwiches and have just a little soreness and it's not keeping me awake. He had a contact inside my mouth for a long time and it just completely released. I was amazed.

The CD is more along the midnfulness area I would say. Really soften and relax your muscles and then feel the ones that are still tense and help them relax. It makes me pay more attention to the stress I have in my shoulders and neck during the day. I hold myself pretty tight most of the time but I've known that for years, never been able to interrupt it. But now I'm seeing it start to relax if I pay attention.

There is a lot more philosophy that goes with it, but I'm just starting and don't know how deep I want to get into it. I would love it if helps the migraines. And chewing is really nice too. I'll take any relief I can get!

Thought I'd resurrect this old thread. I had a course of myofascial release last year. I thought I'd never find someone locally who practised it.

I have TMJ problems, along with migraines, and I really hoped it would help. Sadly, it didn't, although the practitioner could see that I was totally wonky and pulled out of line (muscles really tight on my migraine side), so no doubt that's what creates the pressure on my jaw.

Sarah, I gave up on it too. I saw some results in the tightness of my neck and it really helped my jaw but there was not a noticeable difference in the migraine frequency. It was too expensive to continue.

If I ever have a flare up with my jaw I would go back. It also really helped my hip but then it comes back again. So I can cross that one off of my list of things to try.

-Cathy