EP. 065: More than Meds - Exploring Physiotherapy for Migraine Management with Kerstin Luedtke

In this podcast episode, Dr. Kerstin Luedtkee discusses the topic of migraine headaches, providing insights into the definition, classification, and pathophysiological theories behind migraines. She explains the criteria for diagnosing migraine headaches, including the presence of associated symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Dr. Luedtkee delves into the role of the hypothalamus as a key structure in triggering migraine attacks and highlights the importance of understanding the central nervous system changes that occur in individuals with migraines. Moreover, she emphasizes the need for a holistic approach in managing migraines, incorporating physiotherapy interventions alongside pharmacological treatments. Dr. Luedtkee suggests addressing musculoskeletal dysfunctions in the neck, providing education on migraine triggers and symptoms, promoting relaxation techniques, and encouraging aerobic exercise. She also mentions ongoing research areas focused on patient perspectives, the effectiveness of physiotherapy in migraine treatment, and the importance of incorporating patient feedback into future studies to enhance the overall management of migraines. Content 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Definition of Migraine Headaches 01:40 Migraine with Aura 03:30 Pathophysiology 05:30 The role of the Hypothalamus 07:36 Risk Factors for Migraine 13:25 Prevalence 16:44 The typical patient 18:29 Migraine and Chronic Pain 21:30 Red Flags 23:13 Other Diagnostic Measures 29:00 MSK Dysfunctions in Headache 31:18 The role of Vestibular Assessment 33:25 Subtype Vestibular Migraine 34:34 Physical Therapy Effectiveness 40:11 Guideline Management Approach 45:15 Added benefit of moving more? 46:16 Hot topics in Migraine Research 48:30 The Importance of the Patient’s perspective 49:56 Contact Info 51:15 Outro   Bonus Material Download the referenced transcript including PubMed Links and a high-resolution infographic on this episode as part of your Physiotutors membership on the Physiotutors App. Download the Free App now   Follow our Podcast on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts