Migraine In 1888 – The Same As In 2009!
Amazing! I have just come across a gentleman who in 1888 who described the migraine process in this way: “… we must not ascribe too much significance to throbbing of the increase in the pain by the cause of vascular distension; these may be due merely to the over sensitiveness of the central structures.” In other words expansion of the blood vessels is unlikely to be the cause of pain; it may be that expansion of blood vessels is misinterpreted by a sensitised central nervous system.
This information from the blood vessels has to pass through the BRAINSTEM on the way to the cortex … and what has been shown to be the disorder in headache and migraine? … a SENSITISED BRAINSTEM.
A man 120 years before his time – Bravo!
Cheers
Dean
Consultant Headache and Migraine Physiotherapist; Adjunct Lecturer, Masters Program, School of Physiotherapy, University of South Australia; PhD Candidate, Murdoch University, Western Australia
Migraine Treatment
References:
(Gowers WR. Diseases of the brain and cranial nerves. General and functional diseases of the nervous system. A Manual of Diseases of the Nervous System, 1st Ed. Vol. 2 London: Churchill, 1888)
