Headaches: Migraine, Tension, and Cluster
Do you suffer from migraine or other types of headaches? Mike Gibbons, LMT, has massage therapy treatments specific to headache problems.
Headaches: migraine, tension, cluster
Are you a migraine headache sufferer? Do you suffer from tension headache, cluster headache, and/or experience chronic headaches? An article from the World Health Organization states that “Headache disorders are among the most common disorders of the nervous system.” Headaches can adversely affect your daily activities, and migraines can be utterly devastating and debilitating.
Headache Causes
There are many causes of headaches: dehydration, poor posture, sinusitis, certain foods (containing nitrites), lack of sleep, stress, and the list goes on. Where headache pain is concerned, the main reason people usually come in for massage treatment is stress. Note: If you are suffering from a severe, sudden, unexplained (unusual for you) pain in the head, please see your physician immediately, or go to the emergency room. It could be caused by an extremely serious condition (e.g. stroke or brain aneurysm).
Migraine Headache
A migraine headache is an extremely intense headache often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. The cause of migraines remains a mystery but it is known that migraines can be triggered by hormonal changes, stress, chocolate, coffee, cheese, changes in blood sugar levels, flashing lights, bright lights, and fluorescent lights, to name a few. Migraines can also be hereditary.
Massage Therapy for Headaches: More Information
A study noted in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, entitled Massage Therapy and Frequency of Chronic Tension Headaches, concludes the following: “The muscle-specific massage therapy technique used in this study has the potential to be a functional, nonpharmacological intervention for reducing the incidence of chronic tension headache.” Quinn C, Chandler C, Moraska A. Massage therapy and frequency of chronic tension headaches. Am J Public Health. 2002;92(10):1657–1661. doi:10.2105/ajph.92.10.1657
The University of Minnesota> Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing has posted an extensive, informative article about headaches: Migraines / What are some integrative therapies and healing practices to consider for headaches?, which states: “Massage therapy has been shown in some studies to be more effective than acupuncture for migraine pain, and equally effective for tension headaches. … Craniosacral therapy, which stems from osteopathic practice, is a very gentle manipulative approach, intending to restore balance and flow to the cerebrospinal fluid, which circulates around the spinal cord and brain. A series of 4-6 treatments have been reported in practice to be very effective for both migraine and tension headache sufferers, and benefits may be long-lasting.”
Last, but certainly not least, Excedrin has an article on their site touting the benefits of massage therapy for headache, entitled: HELP FIGHT HEAD PAIN WITH SELF-CARE: Learn how holistic techniques may help ease and reduce headaches and migraines. In it, it states: “Massage therapy is another approach that may help. A study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that when compared to a control group, massage participants who received weekly massages lowered their migraine frequency and raised their sleep quality, both during the weeks they received treatment and for the three weeks following.” Sheleigh P. Lawler, Ph.D., Linda D. Cameron, Ph.D., A randomized, controlled trial of massage therapy as a treatment for migraine, Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Volume 32, Issue 1, August 2006, Pages 50–59, https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm3201_6
Massage Therapy Can Bring Relief to Headache Sufferers
It is no wonder so many people choose massage therapy as their “go to” therapy for headaches. Massage is proven to be a very effective therapy for headache sufferers. Regular massage therapy sessions can often lessen the frequency and intensity of headaches.