{"id":75808,"date":"2021-09-12T05:53:35","date_gmt":"2021-09-12T05:53:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ww1.soothe.com\/?page_id=75808"},"modified":"2024-07-15T17:11:13","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T17:11:13","slug":"headache-massage-relieve-headaches-massage-therapy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ww1.soothe.com\/q-and-a\/headache-massage-relieve-headaches-massage-therapy\/","title":{"rendered":"Headache Massage: How to Relieve Headaches With a Massage"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Headache Massage: How to Relieve Headaches With a Massage<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacebook\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Question:<\/strong><\/p>

I\u2019ve had headaches all my life, but lately they seem to be getting worse. Over-the-counter medication used to help, but now all they do is slightly dull the pain. I\u2019m afraid to take anything any stronger, and I\u2019m tired of treating the symptoms. Could massage therapy help relieve my headaches?<\/p>

Answer:<\/strong><\/p>

Everybody has occasional headaches, and typically you can identify the trigger. But if you have more than two headaches a week, and over-the-counter medication isn\u2019t relieving your pain, it may be time to see a doctor.[i]<\/sup> While massage may provide some relief, you don\u2019t want to use massage as a substitute for proper medical treatment.<\/p>

Stress Can Cause Headaches<\/h2>

Headaches can be caused by stress, and massage is proven to help reduce the negative effects of stress on your body \u2013 effects which can include headaches. Massage decreases levels of cortisol in your body, also called the \u201cstress hormone.\u201d It also increases levels of dopamine and serotonin, two feel-good hormones that also promote relaxation and can lead to fewer headaches.[ii]<\/sup><\/p>

It\u2019s important to keep in mind that few studies have been done of massage\u2019s effects on headaches. The preliminary studies that have been done are somewhat promising that massage may offer some relief for chronic headaches.[iii]<\/sup><\/p>

A basic relaxation massage \u2013 also called a Swedish massage<\/a> \u2013 may help your headaches by relaxing your body and mind and improving your circulation. Swedish massages are gentle and good for beginners. Monitor your headaches for a few days after your massage and see if you notice any improvement, but keep in mind you may need a series of several massages before you can tell a significant difference.<\/p>

Massage Can Help Tension Headaches<\/h2>

If you have tension headaches, some massage therapists recommend deep tissue massage that targets your suboccipital muscles \u2013 the muscles just under the back of your skull. These muscles keep your head balanced on top of your spine, and if they have to work overtime, you may end up with tension headaches.[iv]<\/sup> Deep tissue massage<\/a> uses trigger point therapy to diagnose and treat muscles that are knotted and overly tense, which may be causing your headaches.<\/p>

If you\u2019re new to massage, it may be best to start with a Swedish massage before moving to deep tissue massage. You can talk to your massage therapist about your headaches and see what they recommend. They may be able to provide you with additional techniques that you can use on your own.<\/p>

To make massage therapy<\/a> easier for you \u2013 as well as avoid potential headache triggers \u2013 call in a certified massage therapist to come to you. That way you can control the time and place of your massage so you\u2019re comfortable with your surroundings. That can help ensure you get the most out of your treatment. While you may notice results after even one massage, the therapy will typically work best for you when you include it as a regular part of your health care regimen. Particularly if you\u2019re getting deep tissue massage, you might consider rebooking with the same therapist each time to ensure continuity of treatment with a therapist who is familiar with your particular condition.<\/p>

Book a massage with Soothe.<\/a><\/p>

References:<\/strong><\/p>

[i]<\/sup> The Mayo Clinic: \u201cChronic Daily Headaches\u201d <\/em>https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/chronic-daily-headaches\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20370891<\/p>

[ii]<\/sup> International Journal of Neuroscience: \u201cCortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy\u201d<\/em> https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16162447<\/p>

[iii]<\/sup> National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: \u201cMassage Therapy for Health Purposes\u201d <\/em>https:\/\/nccih.nih.gov\/health\/massage\/massageintroduction.htm<\/p>

[iv]<\/sup> Pain Science: \u201cMassage Therapy for Tension Headaches\u201d<\/em>https:\/\/www.painscience.com\/articles\/spot-01-suboccipitals.php<\/p>

You Might Be Interested In These, As Well:
<\/strong>
Is your pain a step beyond a simple headache? Learn how to alleviate migraine pain with massage<\/a>\u00a0therapy.<\/p>

Are your sinuses giving you grief?\u00a0Learn more about how a lymphatic massage<\/a> might be able to help your symptoms.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Ready to book your massage?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBook A Massage<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Headache Massage: How to Relieve Headaches With a Massage Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit Question: I\u2019ve had headaches all my life, but lately they seem to be getting worse. Over-the-counter medication used to help, but now all they do is slightly dull the pain. I\u2019m afraid to take anything any stronger, and I\u2019m tired of treating […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":75683,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_elementor_edit_mode":"builder","_elementor_template_type":"wp-page","_elementor_data":"[{\"id\":\"6a4c6e89\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"eael_parallax_layers_list\":[]},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"1e50dd7d\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"3f86c60a\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"eael_parallax_layers_list\":[]},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"761d6ff7\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7250335a\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"title\":\"Headache Massage: How to Relieve Headaches With a Massage\",\"header_size\":\"h1\",\"align\":\"center\",\"title_color\":\"#14316C\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Poppins\",\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":30,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_weight\":\"600\",\"eael_tooltip_section_content\":\"I am a tooltip\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_placeholder\":\"Enter Password\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_submit_btn_txt\":\"Submit\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_incorrect_message\":\"Password does not match.\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"heading\"},{\"id\":\"5224a0be\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"eael_tooltip_section_content\":\"I am a tooltip\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_placeholder\":\"Enter Password\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_submit_btn_txt\":\"Submit\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_incorrect_message\":\"Password does not match.\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"spacer\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"64970ade\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"eael_parallax_layers_list\":[]},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7962bc31\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"1d9af12e\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"text\":\"Divider\",\"eael_tooltip_section_content\":\"I am a tooltip\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_placeholder\":\"Enter Password\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_submit_btn_txt\":\"Submit\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_incorrect_message\":\"Password does not match.\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"divider\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"684ef739\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"eael_parallax_layers_list\":[]},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"1c102bb5\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":100,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"6a26d4b2\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"share_buttons\":[{\"_id\":\"177a087\"},{\"button\":\"twitter\",\"_id\":\"821e691\"},{\"button\":\"linkedin\",\"_id\":\"280d314\"},{\"_id\":\"8f9e41a\",\"button\":\"reddit\"}],\"alignment\":\"left\",\"eael_tooltip_section_content\":\"I am a tooltip\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_placeholder\":\"Enter Password\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_submit_btn_txt\":\"Submit\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_incorrect_message\":\"Password does not match.\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"share-buttons\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"4c2b39d6\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":{\"eael_parallax_layers_list\":[],\"structure\":\"22\"},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"aa06c7f\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":66,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"3c125272\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"

Question:<\\\/strong><\\\/p>

I\\u2019ve had headaches all my life, but lately they seem to be getting worse. Over-the-counter medication used to help, but now all they do is slightly dull the pain. I\\u2019m afraid to take anything any stronger, and I\\u2019m tired of treating the symptoms. Could massage therapy help relieve my headaches?<\\\/p>

Answer:<\\\/strong><\\\/p>

Everybody has occasional headaches, and typically you can identify the trigger. But if you have more than two headaches a week, and over-the-counter medication isn\\u2019t relieving your pain, it may be time to see a doctor.[i]<\\\/sup> While massage may provide some relief, you don\\u2019t want to use massage as a substitute for proper medical treatment.<\\\/p>

Stress Can Cause Headaches<\\\/h2>

Headaches can be caused by stress, and massage is proven to help reduce the negative effects of stress on your body \\u2013 effects which can include headaches. Massage decreases levels of cortisol in your body, also called the \\u201cstress hormone.\\u201d It also increases levels of dopamine and serotonin, two feel-good hormones that also promote relaxation and can lead to fewer headaches.[ii]<\\\/sup><\\\/p>

It\\u2019s important to keep in mind that few studies have been done of massage\\u2019s effects on headaches. The preliminary studies that have been done are somewhat promising that massage may offer some relief for chronic headaches.[iii]<\\\/sup><\\\/p>

A basic relaxation massage \\u2013 also called a Swedish massage<\\\/a> \\u2013 may help your headaches by relaxing your body and mind and improving your circulation. Swedish massages are gentle and good for beginners. Monitor your headaches for a few days after your massage and see if you notice any improvement, but keep in mind you may need a series of several massages before you can tell a significant difference.<\\\/p>

Massage Can Help Tension Headaches<\\\/h2>

If you have tension headaches, some massage therapists recommend deep tissue massage that targets your suboccipital muscles \\u2013 the muscles just under the back of your skull. These muscles keep your head balanced on top of your spine, and if they have to work overtime, you may end up with tension headaches.[iv]<\\\/sup> Deep tissue massage<\\\/a> uses trigger point therapy to diagnose and treat muscles that are knotted and overly tense, which may be causing your headaches.<\\\/p>

If you\\u2019re new to massage, it may be best to start with a Swedish massage before moving to deep tissue massage. You can talk to your massage therapist about your headaches and see what they recommend. They may be able to provide you with additional techniques that you can use on your own.<\\\/p>

To make massage therapy<\\\/a> easier for you \\u2013 as well as avoid potential headache triggers \\u2013 call in a certified massage therapist to come to you. That way you can control the time and place of your massage so you\\u2019re comfortable with your surroundings. That can help ensure you get the most out of your treatment. While you may notice results after even one massage, the therapy will typically work best for you when you include it as a regular part of your health care regimen. Particularly if you\\u2019re getting deep tissue massage, you might consider rebooking with the same therapist each time to ensure continuity of treatment with a therapist who is familiar with your particular condition.<\\\/p>

Book a massage with Soothe.<\\\/a><\\\/p>

References:<\\\/strong><\\\/p>

[i]<\\\/sup> The Mayo Clinic: \\u201cChronic Daily Headaches\\u201d <\\\/em>https:\\\/\\\/www.mayoclinic.org\\\/diseases-conditions\\\/chronic-daily-headaches\\\/symptoms-causes\\\/syc-20370891<\\\/p>

[ii]<\\\/sup> International Journal of Neuroscience: \\u201cCortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy\\u201d<\\\/em> https:\\\/\\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\\/pubmed\\\/16162447<\\\/p>

[iii]<\\\/sup> National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: \\u201cMassage Therapy for Health Purposes\\u201d <\\\/em>https:\\\/\\\/nccih.nih.gov\\\/health\\\/massage\\\/massageintroduction.htm<\\\/p>

[iv]<\\\/sup> Pain Science: \\u201cMassage Therapy for Tension Headaches\\u201d<\\\/em>https:\\\/\\\/www.painscience.com\\\/articles\\\/spot-01-suboccipitals.php<\\\/p>

You Might Be Interested In These, As Well:
<\\\/strong>
Is your pain a step beyond a simple headache? Learn how to alleviate migraine pain with massage<\\\/a>\\u00a0therapy.<\\\/p>

Are your sinuses giving you grief?\\u00a0Learn more about how a lymphatic massage<\\\/a> might be able to help your symptoms.<\\\/p>\",\"text_color\":\"#020202\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Poppins\",\"typography_font_weight\":\"400\",\"eael_tooltip_section_content\":\"I am a tooltip\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_placeholder\":\"Enter Password\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_submit_btn_txt\":\"Submit\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_incorrect_message\":\"Password does not match.\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":false},{\"id\":\"5feae383\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":33,\"_inline_size\":null},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"519c5b33\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"

Ready to book your massage?<\\\/p>\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Poppins\",\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":17,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_weight\":\"400\",\"eael_tooltip_section_content\":\"I am a tooltip\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_placeholder\":\"Enter Password\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_submit_btn_txt\":\"Submit\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_incorrect_message\":\"Password does not match.\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"},{\"id\":\"21780bf0\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"text\":\"Book A Massage\",\"align\":\"center\",\"typography_typography\":\"custom\",\"typography_font_family\":\"Poppins\",\"typography_font_size\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":18,\"sizes\":[]},\"typography_font_weight\":\"600\",\"typography_line_height\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"size\":22,\"sizes\":[]},\"background_color\":\"#F58266\",\"border_radius\":{\"unit\":\"px\",\"top\":\"50\",\"right\":\"50\",\"bottom\":\"50\",\"left\":\"50\",\"isLinked\":true},\"eael_tooltip_section_content\":\"I am a tooltip\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_placeholder\":\"Enter Password\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_submit_btn_txt\":\"Submit\",\"eael_ext_content_protection_password_incorrect_message\":\"Password does not match.\",\"link\":{\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/ww1.soothe.com\\\/booking\",\"is_external\":\"\",\"nofollow\":\"\",\"custom_attributes\":\"\"}},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"button\"}],\"isInner\":false}],\"isInner\":false}]","_elementor_page_settings":{"eael_ext_toc_title":"Table of Contents"},"_elementor_conditions":[]},"class_list":["post-75808","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ww1.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/75808","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ww1.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ww1.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ww1.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ww1.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75808"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ww1.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/75808\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ww1.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/75683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ww1.soothe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75808"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}