Far from being simply a feel-good treatment, massage
therapy helps relieve the debilitating pain of migraine headaches by relaxing
muscles, improving blood flow, reducing stress, lowering blood pressure and
improving sleep. In addition, massage therapy seems to provide some long-term
benefits for migraine sufferers even after the treatment.
Evidence of Effectiveness
Scientific research has confirmed anecdotal
evidence that massage is an effective therapy for treatment of migraine
headaches. Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia randomly
assigned 47 people with migraine to a massage group and a group that received
no massage. Those who received weekly massages experienced fewer migraines,
reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep, slower heart rate and lower levels of
cortisol, the stress hormone.
"The findings provide preliminary support for the utility of massage therapy as a non-pharmacologic treatment for individuals suffering from migraines," the researchers declared in a research paper published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Furthermore, there is evidence that massage therapy may reduce incidence of migraines after treatment is ended.
"The findings provide preliminary support for the utility of massage therapy as a non-pharmacologic treatment for individuals suffering from migraines," the researchers declared in a research paper published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Furthermore, there is evidence that massage therapy may reduce incidence of migraines after treatment is ended.
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Incidence of Migraines
Some 18 percent of women and 7 percent of men
in America endure the torment of migraines. Common signs are excruciating
headache, nausea and extreme sensitivity to sound and light. Migraines are
commonly triggered by stress and lack of sleep. In many cases, an initial
treatment to control an attack involves lying down in a dark, quiet room free
of sensory stimulation.
Medications frequently prescribed to prevent migraines, such as pain relievers, when used heavily over a period of time can actually produce another type of headache known as medication overuse headache that is more difficult to treat than migraines. Those with gastrointestinal problems and cardiovascular disease---plus pregnant or breastfeeding women---are sometimes unable to tolerate such medications.
Medications frequently prescribed to prevent migraines, such as pain relievers, when used heavily over a period of time can actually produce another type of headache known as medication overuse headache that is more difficult to treat than migraines. Those with gastrointestinal problems and cardiovascular disease---plus pregnant or breastfeeding women---are sometimes unable to tolerate such medications.
Self-Massage
You can massage certain pressure points on
your body to bring relief from migraines. Place the pads of your thumbs or
first two fingers on the pressure point and apply light to moderate pressure.
Press until you feel a lump or tension in the point and allow your thumb or
finger to gradually go deeper, then massage with small, circular motions. If
the pain at any point is too intense, reduce the pressure.
Keep your thumb or finger on the pressure point until you feel a relaxation, softness or perhaps a feeling of warmth. Slowly release the pressure and lift your fingers from the point. Repeat the procedure as needed. The crucial pressure points include the base of the skull (gently massage the bony based of your skull on the back side), mid-forehead (apply pressure to the point at the middle of your forehead between the eyebrows), eye corners (carefully massage your temples, or spots behind your eyes just behind the bone), hands (apply pressure to the fleshy area between your thumb and index finger) and foot (massage the area on the top of your foot between your big and second toes where the bones come together).
Keep your thumb or finger on the pressure point until you feel a relaxation, softness or perhaps a feeling of warmth. Slowly release the pressure and lift your fingers from the point. Repeat the procedure as needed. The crucial pressure points include the base of the skull (gently massage the bony based of your skull on the back side), mid-forehead (apply pressure to the point at the middle of your forehead between the eyebrows), eye corners (carefully massage your temples, or spots behind your eyes just behind the bone), hands (apply pressure to the fleshy area between your thumb and index finger) and foot (massage the area on the top of your foot between your big and second toes where the bones come together).
Professional Massage
In addition to self-massage, there are other
holistic methods of treating migraines practiced by specialists. These include
craniosacral therapy, neuromuscular massage, reflexology and deep-tissue
massage. Reflexology involves pressure and massage of points on the soles of
the feet. Neuromuscular massage causes tense muscles to relax by massaging
"trigger points" on the body. Deep tissue therapy employs pressure,
movement and stretching to relieve muscle soreness. Craniosacral therapy
focuses gentle touch on the scalp and skull.
Combination Therapies
Whether applied by a professional therapist
or by your own hands, massage can provide much relief for migraine sufferers.
This holistic approach is indicated when the patient can't tolerate
prescription medications. Others who can tolerate medications often combine
massage and lifestyle modifications to control their migraines.
Call for an Appointment today 856-985-0700 at
Suede Salon Spa and Body. We offer Swedish, Deep Tissue, Reflexology Massages that can be received in combination.
