There is no better way to boost your mood and overall happiness than a massage. Though it may seem overwhelming to determine which massage technique is best for you, there are plenty of great solutions. At Soul2Sole massage in Edmonton, we provide five massage techniques to relieve tension headaches.
A tension headache is gentle to direct torment that feels like a tight band around the head. Different elements can cause a tension headache, including pressure, restlessness, and bad posture. The primary indication is pain on the two sides of the head, possibly with muscle pain.
Many solutions address headaches, including painkillers and different drugs. Hot or cold showers, cold compression on your head and neck, and meditation in a quiet and dark room are all known tension headache treatments. Relieving stress and massage therapy are also suggested ways to eliminate chronic migraines or tension headaches.
Benefits of a Head Massage
Head massage is a therapeutic technique that manipulates the soft tissues and muscles of the scalp, neck, and shoulders. This practice has numerous benefits, including stress relief, pain reduction, and improved blood circulation. Head massage can help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms and promote relaxation and better sleep quality. These factors can all directly lead to reducing or completely eliminating recurring headaches.
In addition, the gentle pressure applied during a head massage can also help release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, which can further enhance overall well-being. Furthermore, a good head massage promotes hair growth by stimulating the hair follicles. If you are suffering from hair loss, a head massage can give you a boost in confidence and self-esteem.
What Causes Tension Headaches?
The anatomy of a headache is an area of ongoing and active research. In a nutshell, the pain associated with a headache stems from the activation of pain receptors in the tissues surrounding the skull, including the scalp, forehead, temples, and neck. Inflammation in the blood vessels and nerves in these areas and tension in the neck and scalp muscles can also contribute to headaches. Nerve compression around the eye sockets can result in many experiencing pulsating headaches, which are a symptom of nerve irritation caused by nearby blood vessels.
Does Stress Cause Tension Headaches?
It is not a coincidence that you get more headaches during times of stress.
Stress is a common trigger of headaches. When we experience stress, the body releases a cascade of hormones, including cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. These hormones trigger the fight-or-flight response. An increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension follows. This tension can affect the muscles of the head, neck, and shoulders, leading to headaches. Chronic stress can also lead to an imbalance in certain chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, which can trigger migraines. Stress-related headaches can be episodic or chronic and can range in intensity from mild to severe.
Thankfully, there are ways to address it, especially with a massage and other relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga and deep breathing.
Does Massage Lower Blood Pressure
Massage therapy is an effective complementary treatment for reducing blood pressure. Scientific studies have shown a 15 to 30-minute head massage reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in participants. The production of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline can cause constriction of the blood vessels, leading to increased blood pressure. Massage reduces stress and stimulates the production of nitric oxide, a chemical that causes vasodilation and improves blood flow. This essential molecule signals blood vessels to relax, which thereby improves circulation. Additionally, massage can stimulate the relaxation response, a state of deep relaxation similar to meditation, where the body releases chemicals to slow down your heart rate.
Five Massage Techniques for Tension Headaches
As great as it is to understand the benefits of a massage, none of that matters if you can’t give a massage yourself. Though it’s even more beneficial to see a massage specialist, sometimes you’re running low on time or don’t have the money to do so. Plus, it’s a valuable subject to know if someone you know needs a massage.
Remember to use the best possible technique to get the most out of your massage. We recommend seeing a specialist before trying any of these so they can walk you through the steps in person to get the best results. Nevertheless, here are five massages for tension headaches.
1. Swedish Massage:
Swedish massage is known for its long, flowing strokes that help to promote relaxation and increase blood flow.
2. Trigger Point Therapy:
Trigger point therapy applies pressure to specific points in the muscles that are tender or painful to reduce tension headaches.
3. Shiatsu Massage:
This well-known Japanese massage involves applying pressure to specific points on the body to release tension and promote relaxation.
4. Craniosacral Therapy:
A gentle technique involves applying light pressure to the head, neck, and spine to release tension and improve the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. A great therapy for tension headaches.
Three Ways To Self-Massage To Reduce Your Tension Headaches
Are you looking for quick relief? Try these massage techniques before you book a massage appointment and learn how to massage head for headache relief and find your tension headache massage points.
Eye Massage To Relieve Tension Headaches
- Shut your eyes. Place your thumbs under your eyebrows, beginning at the corner of each eyelid.
- Press and delicately move the thumbs in small circles, working gradually towards the exterior of your eyebrows and proceeding all around your eyes. Finish it back at the extension of your nose.
- Repeat this multiple times, investing some additional energy in the space of the inward eyelid, where the extension of the nose meets the edge of the eyebrows.
Increase Circulation With Cheekbone Massage
- Start by setting your thumbs on your cheekbones near your ears, and use your fingertips to apply strain tenderly and massage the temple.
- Using substantial pressure and little round movement, move your fingers up along your hairline until they hit your brow, rubbing your whole temple and scalp as you inch along.
Neck Massage For Tension Headache
- While sitting down, form your hands over your shoulders. Breathe out, allowing your head to drop back as you gradually press your fingers towards your palms, skimming up your back and shoulder muscles towards your neck.
- Meanwhile, lay your elbows around a desk, letting your head drop forward somewhat. Massage your neck from your shoulders to the foundation of your skull, utilizing your fingertips to make little circles into the muscles.
- Place two hands on the rear of your head, interweaving the fingers. Drop your head forward and permit the heaviness of your elbows to pull your head down. Extend the muscles of your neck and those that overview your back.
Find Massage for Tension Headaches Near me
At Soul 2 Sole Studio in Edmonton, we have dozens of registered massage therapists that can help you find tension headache relief and promote ultimate relaxation. With three locations in Edmonton and St. Albert, we are consistently among the best-rated massage clinic in the city. Book an appointment today or call us to see how we can relieve your migraine and headaches.
