Migraine Journey Update: Becoming Pain-free
Hi there, it’s Cara- the Mind Body Physio patient care coordinator. A year ago I shared my migraine journey and how Physical Therapy at MBP had impacted my migraines.
To recap, here’s where I was in my journey one year ago:
I had been suffering from chronic migraines for over 15 years.
I was having ~25 migraine days a month, so just 5 pain-free days a month.
I made progress working with Vertrees Headache Center and was having 8-10 pain-free days a month.
Dr. Vertrees referred me to Mind Body Physio to try Physical Therapy
After 4 months of PT at MBP I averaged 20 pain-free days a month!
I was thrilled to join the MBP team because I knew its practice and mission was something I would be proud to be part of and it had already made an impact on my own life.
So where am I now?
Over the past year, by continuing Physical Therapy with MBP I have been able to not only maintain my progress, but further it!
I have a treatment session 1-2 times a month where we check in about my migraines, evaluate my alignment and mobility, adjust my exercises accordingly, and dry needle my head, neck, and upper traps.
A couple times a week I do a few specific exercises that we have found to be effective at keeping me migraine free.
With my migraines so well controlled, we have been able to shift focus towards other goals! Outside of MBP I am a professional modern dancer, dancing up to 20 hours a week. An ongoing goal is to build strength and improve alignment so I can prevent injury and perform at my best. Here are some of the things we have worked on: improving pelvic alignment, increasing internal rotation of my left hip, increasing external rotation of my right hip, and strengthening my internal obliques, hamstrings, and glutes.
I now average 28+ pain-free days and just 1-2 migraine days a month! These migraines rarely escalate above a 2/10 pain level and are easily treated with medication.
Furthermore, my entire body and nervous system is much more regulated. I can now engage in former triggers without getting a migraine. For example, I can go on an airplane, enjoy a margarita, or exercise intensely- all while staying migraine free.
If you are reading this and experience migraines, or any type of chronic pain, I want to ask you the same questions that Dr. Gonzales asked me when we first spoke:
In what ways are your migraines or pain impacting you day to day?
Are there things you are unable to do because of your pain?
What is your goal?
Why is reaching that goal important to you?
How do you envision your life being different if you can reach that goal?
What would you be able to do if you were pain-free?
As someone who felt like I had tried everything and nothing had worked, I know how difficult and scary it is to start another treatment. And still, I encourage you to take the leap.
You deserve to experience what it is like to be pain-free. You deserve to experience your life fully, without limitation.
I can tell you from personal experience, it is worth it!
Are you ready to find out how Physical Therapy can help you? Use the button below to schedule a FREE phone consultation.
Thanks for reading!
- Cara
P.S. Did you know that I wrote an Ebook with Dr. Gonzales on how to manage chronic pain? You can download it for FREE here: Chronic Pain Ebook