Say Goodbye to Headaches with Massage Therapy

It’s reported that more than 37 million Americans suffer from headaches on a regular basis. Whether the root of the problem is hereditary, environmental or due to lifestyle factors, your patients with headache pain are looking for one thing—relief. 

And massage therapists are in a great position to help.

Both tension headaches and migraines have been effectively treated by massage therapy. Not only can massage help relieve headache pain, but it can also help to prevent headaches from occurring. 

Massage can Effectively Help Reduce the Symptoms of Headaches as:

Massage promotes circulation: Massage can increase blood flow in areas that might be ischemic (lacking blood flow) and therefore help relieve pain.

Massage decreases pain from Trigger Points: Trigger Points are areas of hyper-irritable tissue that are very tender and also can refer pain to other areas of the body.

Massage relieves muscle spasms/tension: Massage can help loosen chronically tight muscles and taught bands of tissue.

Massage helps regulate certain hormones: Massage therapy has shown to decrease levels of the stress hormone Cortisol. Massage therapy also increases endorphins and stimulates the Para-Sympathetic Nervous system, therefore promoting relaxation.

Migraines: The research is unclear exactly why massage therapy helps those who suffer from migraine headaches. However, in multiple studies, massage therapy was shown to decrease the frequency and duration of migraines.