Migraines Australia: Why more women are impacted than man
A 27-year-old physiotherapist shares her experience living with chronic migraine, highlighting the physical and psychological challenges of the condition. The article discusses the importance of multidisciplinary care and the 'invisible' nature of chronic pain.
Why it matters
Increased awareness of chronic health conditions helps reduce stigma and improves patient advocacy and treatment outcomes.
Share article When Rose Murray suffered a concussion in January 2022, she expected a routine recovery.
Instead, the 27-year-old community physiotherapist was plunged into a terrifying cycle of extreme head pain, dizziness, severe nausea and debilitating light sensitivity that lasted for months.
Rose Murray was diagnosed with chronic migraine at 27 - and it took a huge physical toll. Brain Foundation
Eventually referred to a neurologist, the Sydney resident received a life-altering diagnosis of chronic migraine. The timing was catastrophic, coming three weeks into her graduate role as a physiotherapist.
Murray trialled an exhaustive series of interventions, including Botox, occipital nerve blocks and various preventative medications, yet her symptoms persisted. The physical toll soon forced her out of the workforce entirely.
“I ended up taking three months off work, followed by almost 18 months part-time, before returning to full-time work with daily modifications,” she told nine.com.au.
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