Migraine & Headache Massage

Migraine & Muscle Massage

Migraine & Headache Massage Therapy

Calm your head with Migraine & Headache Massage

Why choose Migraine & Headache Massage? Most migraine sufferers take some form of medication to help them control pain. From preventive to abortive medications, over-the-counter and prescribed medicines, they’re all on the go-to list when pain strikes or threatens.

A remedy that many find effective, and is growing in popularity, is massage. As a therapy, massage can help relieve muscle spasms, it can improve blood flow and circulation, relieving tension and promoting relaxation. It has been shown to be helpful in bringing relief for both tension and vascular headaches.

The research is increasing on the effectiveness of massage therapy in the treatment of migraine, one study performed by the University of Miami School of Medicine tested two groups of migraine sufferers. In the first group, the control, participants took their normal medication but received no massage. In the second group, massage was added weekly to normal medication. Those in the massage group not only suffered no migraine headaches during the course of the study, they also slept better and had increased serotonin levels.

The most favorable massage routine seems to be for deep tissue work in between migraine attacks. Because many migraine sufferers experience extreme sensitivity to touch, and many find any movement increases pain levels, deep tissue massage during an attack would be out of the question. However, light hand or foot massage during pain could help. It is thought that massaging these areas improves the circulation, helping to reduce pressure in the head which is often a contributory factor. For this same reason, putting an ice pack and on the head and neck while running the hands under hot water can help as well.

Experiencing a Headache with no Migraine? Many of the same mechanisms that start a migraine can be attributed to all headaches. At MMAC Health you will find a expert in Head and Neck conditions. Come in today to find out if Migraine & Headache massage is right for you.

Top Reasons Why Massage helps Migraines & Headaches

Massage promotes palliative, relaxing effects to your body over time. Benefits of Migraine & Headache massage include:

Muscle Spasms or Tension
- Massage in the neck and shoulder regions can help to relax taught bands of tissue, loosening the sub-occipitals (those muscles attached to the base of the skull), which cause pain through tension that travels up through the back of the head and into the eye areas.

Hormone Regulation
- Hormonal chemical changes often trigger migraines. Cortisol, commonly known as the stress hormone, can be controlled by massage therapy, which also increases endorphin production as well as stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system.

Decrease Trigger Point Pain
- Neuromuscular therapy, also known as trigger point therapy, targets hyper-irritable, tender, tissue areas that can refer pain to other parts of the body.

Improved Circulation
- Massage has been shown to increase blood flow, which in turn improves oxygen levels and can help reduce pain.

Get back to your restful day with Migraine & Headache Massage

Generally, the most common types of headaches are muscle tension and vascular headaches. Muscle tension headaches produce dull, constant pain on both sides of the head and may also involve an aching neck or sensitive scalp. They generally start slowly and can last from hours to days.

Muscle tension headaches are sometimes called muscle contraction headaches because it is the tightening of the muscles of the head, face and neck that causes the pain. This is why tension headache sufferers often describe their pain as a “vice-like grip” at their temples or as tightening bands around the forehead or along the base of the skull.

Vascular headaches for the most part are the ones many people describe as “pounding” or “throbbing.” They occur when the blood vessels that supply the brain and the muscles in the head swell and constrict. Vascular headache pain intensifies with physical activity and typically lasts from 4 to 72 hours. It may be associated with other symptoms such as vision problems, extreme sensitivity to light, and nausea. Migraines, cluster headaches and headaches that result from high blood pressure are all examples of vascular headaches.

How does Migraine & Headache Massage Relieve the symptoms?

Massage therapy helps to relieve both types of headaches by easing muscle tension, relieving muscle spasms, releasing shortened muscles and relaxing tension held in the muscles of the head, shoulders, and neck. When muscle tension eases, there is less pressure on the nerves and blood vessels that supply them. Oxygen-rich blood circulation improves, which also relieves pain. Massage therapy not only helps the muscles of the body to relax but also effectively reduces the anxiety and mental stress that can cause or exacerbate headaches. Regular, ongoing massage therapy can also help to prevent headaches by helping to reduce overall stress and the muscle tension that can trigger headache pain and by helping to maintain emotional balance.