Manual Lymph Drainage in Individuals With Migraine

Although there are evidence-based guidelines for clinical decision-making and reporting the care of patients with migraine, migraine management for the population is inadequate. Even among individuals who are correctly diagnosed, almost more than half of patients are not administered any acute or preventive treatment. Various invasive and non-invasive treatment options are available in the treatment of migraine. Relaxation training, exercise, cold application, massage, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), biofeedback, manipulation and mobilization techniques, and trigger point therapy are some of the non-invasive treatment options used in migraine treatment. These treatments, which can be applied independently, can also be applied in combination with pharmacological treatments in some patients. In addition, the patient's knowledge about the disease makes it easier to manage the process and cope with the pain better.

Connective tissue massage (CTM) is a manipulative therapy method that is different from traditional massages in terms of both technical and physiological effects and has been used for diagnosis or treatment since 1928. Although the manipulative procedures applied target superficial connective and subcutaneous tissues, they also have effects on organs far from the local stimulation area. Another approach to migraine prophylaxis includes manual lymph drainage (MLD). It is considered that MLD causes sympathetic and parasympathetic effects and is similar to therapeutically effective relaxation therapy by reducing the hyperexcitability of the central system. With the parasympathetic effect it creates, it helps to reduce muscle pain and spasm, making it easier to cope with tension and stress. Reduction of the tension and stress factors may reduce the triggering of migraine and make it easier to cope with the current migraine. Recent studies have shown that the meningeal lymphatic system is located in the brain and that this system is a new way for the drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid.

In the literature, research into the examination of the effect of MLD on migraine is quite limited. We planned this randomized controlled trial to contribute to the reduction of pain and increase the quality of life of individuals with migraine by increasing the awareness of individuals working in this field in our country.

Inclusion criteria

• To be able to read and write
• Diagnosis of migraine by a neurologist according to IHS criteria
• Be willing to participate in the study voluntarily signing an informed consent form
• Have good cognitive functioning
• Between the ages of 18 and 65
• Reported pain intensity of 40 mm or more according to VAS
• Headache (without allodynia) <15 days per month

Exclusion criteria

• Had any of the contraindications of MLD for the general and neck region
• Had a history of neuromuscular disease,
• Had communication problems to the extent that prevented evaluation methods,
• Had headaches lasting >15 days a month, were diagnosed with other types of headaches (cervicogenic type headache, tension-type headache),
• Were diagnosed with fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome, exhibited whiplash and similar traumas
• Had severe depression symptoms according to the Beck depression inventory,
• Had a congenital musculoskeletal anomaly, received non-pharmacological migraine treatment (acupuncture, dry needling, etc.),