massage
Hey everyone. I recently got a really fabulous deep tissue/shiatsu massage, and found it very helpful. It was, however, kind of pricey. Have any of you convinced insurance to pay for regular massages? If you have, how did you get them to pay for it? Suzi Kaplan, MA Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, Inc. Drug Detoxification, Rehabilitation and Aftercare Program Pharmacologic Research Unit 603 Clayton Street San Francisco, CA 94117
My massage therapy is covered by my husband's benefit plan at work. I just need a note from my doctor stating I require massage therapy and I send the receipts in after the massage. Quite convenient, this is why I go quite often, two to three per week. It's great...Patty
hi, just a few things to say: Suzi, My neurologist refered me to pysical therapy, which I go to once a week (my referral is for more than one visit a week but my schedule doesn't allow it). When i go i usually get a massage and ultra-sound therapy. Not quite the same massage, but it does help a little and my insurance covers it. also, just fyi, my migraines are under better control when i am on birth control than when i'm not. we've tested this twice (6-10 months off each time) it is a rare side effect of the pill, it is usually contraindicated for women with migraines, but there are those of us it helps. marissa
Well, I was migrainish or grainy again on Tuesday. I did NOT want to go the ER again and did NOT want another Demerol shot. I had a Imitrex shot that morning but the migraine seemed to be coming back so I did something different. I had a massage and it was WONDERFUL. I even extended it for another half hour so in all it was an hour and a half. I did help me too, I know it did. It wasn't my favorite massage, I like shiatsu best and this was a relaxation massage but they said it was what I needed under the circumstances. I'm tellin y'all, if you haven't tried massage yet I would do so. It certainly can't hurt and some insurance companies cover it. Once again I am lucky, massages are much cheaper in Canada. Steph
I can vouch for the benefit of massage when you're trying to banish a migraine. Wish I could have one every day, but that would be pushing it a bit. Eve -- `Before you meet your handsome prince you've got to kiss a lot of toads!`
The thing is, there are so many different types of massage, and some therapists combine different ones. I go for an aromatherapy massage once a fortnight, which seems to help me to relax, and if I have a migraine at the time it will usually go away. One girl at the salon where I go gives me a really gentle head massage (after she's done my back, etc) which is guaranteed to put me to sleep and banish the migraine. Wish I had her here every day! Eve -- `Boy: a noise with some dirt on it.` - Oscar Wilde
I used to trade services with a woman who could do massages and foot reflexology--which even if you have your doubts about it, it is relaxing and additionally (in my cynical opinion) does seem to work fairly well as a diagnostic tool for all sorts of problems. Anyhow, what we'd do is trade services. I learned enough of reflexology to do her feet, and she would give me massages when my neck and shoulder started knotting up. I have strong hands and so does she, and we used to be able to do each other quite a lot of good. I've never had massage *cure* or break up a migraine, but it has calmed down the pain quite a bit and bought me a night or two of sleep when I was about to panic and run to the ER. Once or twice it was enough to ride the migraine through to it's natural conclusion. It doesn't hurt to try and partner up with someone if you have any talent for massage or some other service, you might find someone you too can trade with. M
I've seen several people comment on the benefits of massage for migraines. Some mention having it done by a physical therapist in order to have insurance cover the cost. Would I look in the yellow pages under massage therapists or physical therapy? Do all physical therapists do migraine massage? What should I look for? Thanks for the help! Denise
Gabby, I don't do massages either! I get a migraine if I do. And when I go to the beauty shop I tell the girl be gentle when shampooing or I'll get a migraine! Hugs, Marci