Stiffness and "Cracking" fingers & back
My name is Sheri. My first migraine happened when I was in 3rd grade, sitting at my desk in school. I am now in my mid 50's and am still waiting for them to "go away as I get older."
My question is does anyone else experience extreme stiffness/tightness in fingers and back with a severe migraine?
I have to "crack" my knuckles to temporarily relieve the pain. I also have to stretch my back, which will also crack a pop. I get relief for a few seconds then both fingers and back go back to being tight and stiff and feel like they need to crack again.
As soon as the migraine goes away, the stiffness and tightness also go away. My fingers no longer crack and pop and my back feels fine.
I've tried researching this but can find nothing on this particular symptom.'
Hi Sheri! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I've not heard of this in association with migraine disease, but that certainly doesn't mean it's not possible! On the other hand I wonder if it's some form of alloydnia. This is when normally painless things become painful such as brushing our hair, or even the wind blowing across our skin. We have more information on this here; https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-allodynia-and-central-sensitization.
Please let me know what you think and I'm sending you pain free wishes, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator Migraine.com Team Member
Hi Sheri - Sorry to hear that you're coping with some muscle stiffness. I personally do experience muscle stiffness during some of my migraines, but I don't feel the urge to crack my knuckles or back. For me, the muscles around the top of my shoulders and back of my neck will feel incredibly rigid, and it hurts to move them. Almost like they turn to stone. I'm not sure if that's a feeling you resonate with? We also have an article written by , which discussing muscle stiffness. I encourage you to check it out here: https://migraine.com/living-migraine/prodrome-beginning-phase. Tom should also be notified that I tagged him here, so he might be able to add his thoughts to this conversation as well.
Best,
Cody
, I'll make sure Tom drops in on this thread. Thanks for tagging him. Warmly, Cheryl migraine.com team Thank you, Nancy. I will mention this to my PCP.
Sounds like a plan. I look forward to your update. Wishing you a gentle day, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator Migraine.com Team Member
