Migraine sufferers are plagued with searching for relief from their migraines whenever they may strike. Alas, there are several massage therapy treatments you can receive to alleviate your migraine. But knowing what has caused your migraine is a vital part in choosing the correct therapy.
Pain in the Neck
All day, your body is making little movements back and forth and side to side. There are a group of small muscles located at the base of your skull called your suboccipital muscles that help keep you balanced. If they are working too hard or been aggravated by incorrect posture or sleeping habits, their tightness can cause headaches and even migraines. A massage therapist goes into this area and performs trigger-point therapy, which helps increase circulation to the area and relieve the pressure that these muscles have caused. This in turn helps disseminate the migraine.
Pain Relief
Pain caused from an injury, surgery or even arthritis can trigger a migraine sufferer to have an episode. Getting a massage increases circulation, which can help flush out toxins, lubricate joints and assist with the healing process while promoting your lymphatic system, which ultimately will rid your body of this trigger for a migraine.
Sleep Deprivation
Not getting enough sleep can also trigger a migraine, but massage therapy helps regulate your sleeping patterns by triggering your parasympathetic nervous system. This helps with relaxation, putting your body on a steady schedule. Naturally, the more you receive a massage, the longer these effects will last in your day-to-day routine. Steer toward receiving a Swedish massage and avoid a more intense massage such as trigger-point therapy.
Stress
Stress and aggravation are a leading cause of headaches and migraines, which makes massage therapy a natural fit to combat this cause. A straightforward Swedish massage helps promote the parasympathetic nervous system, which regulates sleeping and digestive patterns, promotes relaxation, and helps prepare the body for better stress management.
Considerations
Consult your doctor before beginning any new routine with your health because they will have a better background on what is a good fit for your particular situation. Furthermore, when choosing a massage therapy, find an accredited massage therapist who has received formal education in massage therapy and is certified nationally. A good way to find a reputable therapist is through AMTAmassage.org. Be open and straightforward with your therapist and tell her all of your symptoms and health history so she can give you the most appropriate treatment to fit your needs.
Tags: massage therapy, trigger migraine, your body, cause headaches, massage therapist, nervous system, parasympathetic nervous