03/13/2023
Headache and Massage Therapy
There are many different types of headaches that one can occasionally or chronically suffer from yet the good news is that massage may help alleviate your pain. Gentle pressure to specific points on the face, scalp, neck and shoulders may assist in resetting the body from a stressed state to one of relaxation. Thus, easing the pain you may be experiencing.
Four of the most common headaches are tension, migraine, sinus/allergy and hormonal.
Tension headaches are commonly experienced and range from mild to severe in pain quality. They present with dull, achy pain that wraps around the forehead. They are often associated with tightness to the scalp, forehead, neck and shoulders. A few things that may cause these are poor posture, muscle tension to the shoulders and neck, jaw clenching or grinding of the teeth, eye strain, fatigue and emotional stress.
Migraine headaches are often moderate to severe and can be debilitating for the individual. They often present with intense, throbbing pain to one or both sides of the head, nausea and vomiting with sensitivities to light, sound and/or smell. An aura may or may not occur prior to the onset of the migraine and they are often brought on by a trigger of some sort. Some triggers may be extremes in the weather with a barometric change, increased every day stress, hormonal changes, sensitivities to foods with additives, preservatives and MSG, changes in a sleep pattern and lack of hydration.
Sinus/Allergy headaches are often associated with the changes of a season related to pollen production by flowers and trees. They also can be brought on by a bacterial, viral or fungal infection to the sinuses aka sinusitis. Pressure to one or both sides of the face, nasal congestion or runny nose, swelling to the cheeks and increased pressure when bending over or laying down are common symptoms.
Hormonal headaches primarily affect women due to the hormone of estrogen. Estrogen levels naturally fluctuate during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Certain types of birth control and hormone replacement therapies (HRT) as well as genetics are also a contributor. These headaches have a similar appearance with migraines and often end up turning into one with throbbing, intense pain to one or both sides of the head, nausea and vomiting, and sensitivities to light, sound and/or smell. They can present with a loss of appetite, fatigue, joint pain, acne and cravings for chocolate, salt and alcohol.
If you are looking for an adjunct solution to your headache pain, give a 'From the shoulders up' massage a try. This massage targets your face, scalp, neck and shoulders providing you the relief you seek as well as addressing other areas of the body that may be holding tension.
If you are experiencing any type of severe head pain with a sudden onset of concerning symptoms please seek medical attention immediately.
Holistic Massage
