BERRICK Barnes is confident his footballer's migraine condition can be cured

BERRICK Barnes is confident his footballer's migraine condition can be cured and has volunteered to be a "guinea pig" for different therapies and treatments.

oThe Waratahs star expressed belief he still has a long career ahead yesterday after announcing he'll take an indefinite break from playing.

Though still keen to play for the Wallabies in the World Cup in September, Barnes will miss the Waratahs' final game against the Brumbies this weekend and any finals over the next month.

The 25-year-old came to the decision after being forced from the field last Saturday, again feeling sick, woozy and having tunnel vision.

Barnes has suffered three concussions this year but was subsequently diagnosed as having footballer's migraine, a vascular condition triggered by physical exertion.

Assured by his neurologist the condition is not damaging his brain long-term, Barnes says he decided to take a break to reduce anxiety and stress compounding his condition and to stop being a distraction to the Waratahs.

After speaking to experts and other athletes who've recovered from it, however, Barnes is confident he can shake off the problem.

"I am definitely not worried about it. I know I will find the right answers, and the expert advice is there it has no long term effects," Barnes said.

"Being anxious and frustrated is playing a part in it too. Probably the psychological side of things is playing as much part as the physiological. "Taking a break from the environment will help me and importantly it will also help the team get on with things."

Barnes has recently spoken to three footballers forced to retire due to repeated concussions: Leon MacDonald, Elton Flatley and former Junior Kangaroo teammate Reece Williams.

But he has also been approached by amateur athletes who have found success beating footballer's migraine with differing therapies.

After 10 years of suffering the problem, one soccer player sought out Barnes saying he had an alternative therapy and was fixed in two weeks.

With expert consultation he is willing to investigate all safe options and potentially help others in the process.

"The thing with the brain is different things work for different people. I'm not going to be an idiot or anything but I will talk with (neurologist) John Watson," Barnes said.

"The thing is there isn't a huge amount of information. The main study paper on it was written in 1972."

Barnes may consult world-leading concussion expert Dr Paul McCrory in Melbourne in coming weeks - the same doctor who treated Flatley.

The chance of Barnes being included in the World Cup squad has been boosted with the ARU confident he can be replaced at the tournament should his condition re-occur.

There are rigid protocols about replacing players in World Cup squads mid-tournament, but the Wallabies selectors will not baulk at taking Barnes despite the potential for further bouts of migraine.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/berrick-barnes-confident-break-from-the-game-will-benefit-him/story-e6frey4i-1226075261106

I do hope he can 'work his way through it' - but I think he is in for a bit of surprise with this.