Migraine/Chronic Headaches:
A new integrated program
Why this program?
I have developed a new program for clients who suffer from Migraines, chronic headaches or similar chronic conditions. This approach integrates Stress Management Coaching with Massage Therapy and aims to alleviate the burden affected clients are confronted with.
How can Coaching help you with migraine or headache attacks?
Migraines & Chronic headaches are often triggered by stress, irregular sleeping patterns, nutrition or psychological factors. On the other hand, these conditions make it hard to have a fulfilling career, family or social life. My coaching approach is designed to help you navigate and manage these conditions, and if possible, to help reducing the frequency and intensity of the attacks.
To achieve these goals, I use a number of different techniques - journalling, behavioral techniques, relaxation techniques, strengthening resilience, etc. All sessions will be adapted to the needs of the client.
How can Massage help you with migraine or headache attacks?
Massages can help to reduce the frequency and the intensity of migraines, cluster headaches & similar conditions in different ways:
1. General Relaxation & Stress reduction: Massages have a calming effect on your cardiovascular system, they are an effective relaxation method and they reduce the level of stress hormones in your system. This way, massages help to reduce migraines and headaches triggered by stress.
2. Reduction of muscular tension: Therapeutic massages help to reduce muscular tensions, which in turn leads to a better posture and less pressure on your nervous system - thereby reducing headache attacks stemming from muscular tensions.
3. Shoulder & Neck muscles:
In my own experience as migraine patient as well as in my experience as massage therapist, migraines are often directly connected to tension in the neck & shoulder muscles. A recent study by a team of researchers at the University of Ulm has established a connection between inflammation in the shoulder & neck muscles, particularly the trapezius muscle, neck pain and migraine/tension headaches. Since massages can not help to reduce muscle tensions, but also help to reduce inflammations in muscles, the massage treatment for affected clients will be focused on the neck & shoulder area.
Why an integrated approach?
Migraines, chronic headaches & similar conditions have a physical and a psychological dimension. While the pain and the other symptoms are obviously physical, the reasons for triggering the attacks can be psychological or behavioral. Working as a coach for stress management and as a massage therapist is confronting me with both aspects of these conditions on a daily basis.
I also realized that a lot of my clients are looking for more support in managing their condition and the impact on their daily lives, besides the fundamental medical and pharmaceutical treatment. By having a massage session between the coaching sessions, I can address the physical stress, too. It also gives the client the chance to ask questions or discuss smaller issues with regard to the coaching sessions at the beginning or at the end of the massage treatment.
If you are interested in this program, don't hesitate to contact me. I will publish a related offer for clients who want to focus on burn-out prevention, stress management & burn-out recovery.
Schedule & Prices
The program consists of 9 sessions ( 5 coaching sessions and 4 massage sessions between the coaching appointments). There is a preparatory talk before the start of the program and an evaluation at the end.
Frequency:
The time between sessions depends on the client and can be adapted at any moment during the program. Normally, I will recommend a session per week, in cases with less frequent attacks, a session every two or even three weeks might be more appropriate.
Be aware:
This program is not replacing a medical or psycho-therapeutic treatment. It is designed to reduce the impact of migraines / chronic headaches and similar conditions through behavioral changes, stress reduction and strengthening resilience.
Schedule:
0. Preparatory Call/Talk - Preparatory Questionnaire/Survey
1. First Coaching Session: Medical & Therapeutic history - Known Triggers - daily life routines - sleep pattern - Migraine/Headache Journal
2. First Massage Session (60 min.): Establishing the appropriate technique & intensity
3. Second Coaching Session: Life & Sleep Hygiene - Stressors - Evaluation of migraine journal
4. Second Massage Session: Focus on Back, Shoulder & Neck
5. Third Coaching Session: Relaxation techniques - Nutrition - Sports & general resilience
6. Third Massage Session: Focus on Back, Shoulders & Neck
7. Fourth Coaching Session: Progress Evaluation - Dealing with a migraine/headache attacks: What to do after an attack?
8. Fourth Massage Session: Evaluation of Massage/Relaxation impact
9. Fifth Coaching Session: Evaluation of progress - Possible Follow-ups - Survey
Prices:
The Price per Session is 100€. If you want to pay for the full curriculum in advance, you will only pay 800€ - you can decide that after the preliminary talk.
Clients with a massage subscription can use their credit for the massage part of the program - please ask me for the details.
Businesses:
If you are interested in offering this program to affected employees, please contact me for an offer. The same applies to the burn-out prevention / stress management program.