How massage can relieve headaches
Almost everyone suffers once in a while from the pain of a headache.
Headaches can last for a few hours up to several days, and sometimes involve symptoms such as sensitivity to light and nausea.
They can seriously impact daily life when they occur frequently or for an extended period of time.
Massage is a natural alternative to medicine that can help relieve headaches while avoiding the side effects of certain medication.
Since many headaches and migraines are accompanied by neck pain, headache sufferers find that manual therapies such as massage offer relief from headache pain and related symptoms.
Because massage therapy relaxes tense muscles, relieves muscle spasms, improves blood flow and aids relaxation.
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 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.
Shiatsu massage and foot reflexology in which pressure is applied with the fingers, thumbs and palm to acupuncture points, also may help to reduce headache pain.