Eliminate migraines? Is this possible? The answer is yes. There are many ways people have found to help them deal with the unbearable feeling that is a migraine. Many people use over the counter medications to fix the issue. However, a holistic approach might be better for your health and have longer lasting effects. In this article, you will learn how a holistic approach can help eliminate migraines.
What is a Migraine?
A migraine is marked by moderate to severe pain and throbbing in the head and can be accompanied by nausea as well as sensitivity to light. In some cases, these painful headaches are preceded or accompanied by a sensory warning sign, such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in your arm or leg. Two of the main causes of migraines are stress and tension throughout the body.
How Does It Help?
Massage is a great way to manage stress, relieve tension, and eliminate migraines. Research at The Touch Institute of the University of Miami School of Medicine found that massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms while increasing serotonin levels in adults with migraine headaches. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in 2002, 19 million Americans have used massage therapy at least once. Some 10 million have used massage in the past year. Massage helps eliminate migraines 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. Oxygen-rich blood circulation improves, which also relieves pain. Regular, ongoing massage therapy can also help to eliminate migraines by helping to reduce overall stress and the muscle tension that can trigger headache pain and by helping to maintain emotional balance.
Types of Massage to Eliminate Migraines
- Deep Tissue Massage Therapy: It uses a combination of movement, pressure and stretching to ease discomfort and aid relaxation. If you’re not sure whether this kind of massage could have a beneficial effect on your migraines, ask your doctor.
- Craniosacral Therapy: This type of massage focuses on your skull and scalp. It can soothe the nerve endings and help to alleviate your headaches.
- Reflexology: Working on the theory that various zones in the soles of the feet correspond to other areas of the body, reflexology practitioners manipulate and stimulate those zones in the feet to bring relief from pain in head areas. Many migraine sufferers find this helpful, as well as massage of the hands and fingers.
- Neuromuscular Massage: Believed by some practitioners to reduce nerve compression, the therapist targets specific spots within a muscle that are sensitive or painful to touch. This type of massage is also known as trigger point massage.
Now you know how a holistic approach can help eliminate migraines. Remember that it eases muscle tension, muscle spasms, and all over tension. Also, remember that there are different types of massage to help eliminate migraines. Talk to your doctor to decide which massage will help you!
