Headaches can range from a simple annoyance to completely paralyzing for many people. The common way to treat headaches is to take medication, usually an NSAID like ibuprofen/Advil or analgesics like acetaminophen/Tylenol. The goal of these medications is to stop the pain.
But what does one do when the over-the-counter medications stop working? When medications are taken on a consistent basis over a period of time, the body becomes desensitized to them and will require stronger medications to stop the pain. This will require a person to go to their doctor for prescription strength drugs.
The same problem applies to prescription strength medications as the over-the-counter ones. Eventually, they will stop working. Also, frequent use of some prescription painkillers can also cause rebound headaches, which can be worse than what the headaches were before starting the medication.
What can a person do to get relief from headaches without medication?
The important thing to consider is what might be causing the headaches. There are many variables to consider that can contribute to chronic headaches:
Medication side effects
Sedentary lifestyle
Constipation (this can also be a side effect of certain medications)
High fat, high sugar diet
Circulation problems (precursor to a stroke)
Chronic sinus problems
Tight muscles of the neck, jaw, and face
Chronic stress
There are many more contributing factors. This is important to consider when treating your headaches. Taking painkillers alone will not stop them. Finding what is causing them will make treating them much more effective and prevent acclimation to medication.
Massage Therapy has been proven in various medical studies to be effective in the treatment of headaches.
One study, performed back in 2011 showed that massage therapy helped reduce the frequency and duration of headaches.1
Another study, published by the International Journal of Neuroscience, showed that regular massage therapy helped reduce excess cortisol levels (a necessary hormone that triggers the ‘fight or flight response of the nervous system) while increasing serotonin and dopamine (transmitters of the brain that make you feel good).2
Time and time again massage therapy has been proven to be a valuable tool in a patient’s toolkit for treatment of their headaches.
To help my massage clients in the Tallahassee, Florida area get relief from headaches, I developed a 30-minute massage routine paired with acupressure and magnetic therapies.
The goals of the massage are as follows:
Help relax the muscles of the upper body, specifically the neck, jaw, and head regions.
Massage the scalp with a gua sha comb and a highly nutritive massage oil to bring more blood and circulation to the head. This can help activate a parasympathetic response, thus lowering cortisol levels. This is also beneficial to promote healthy hair growth.
A warm towel will be applied to the head and face to help relax the muscles, open up the pores, and allow the penetration of the oils into the scalp and hair. If heat is a trigger for the headache, this step will be omitted.
Apply magnetic ear seeds to acupressure points that help relax the mind and spirit, and reduce pain due to headaches.
In order for this to be effective, it's important for us to have a free 10-minute consultation before your first Headache Relief Massage. During the consultation, we will discuss your unique headache triggers and symptoms. We will also determine the frequency needed for you to meet your goals in relieving the headaches.
If you live around the Tallahassee, Florida area, and are interested in trying a more natural approach that has been proven to relieve headaches and reduce stress, then now’s the time to book a session with me.