Many adults have experienced headaches, whether it is due to stress, chronic medical conditions, allergies, hereditary, or other lifestyle factors. Headaches can be classified into three main types, depending on their characteristics and causes.
- Tension headaches are very common among adults but are mild and last for around 30 minutes to an hour. It can be treated with over-the-counter medication.
- Vascular headache, characterized by a pounding feeling, targets a specific head area. It can be caused by nerve or blood vessel swelling, typically more severe and longer-lasting.
- Traction-inflammatory headache is a symptom of other health issues that can manifest as either tension or vascular headaches. Symptoms of traction-inflammatory headache include slurred speech, numbness, and difficulties with motor control.
Is Massage Helpful With Treating Headaches?
Massage therapy has various benefits, one of which is the ability to help treat headaches. The good news is that you can learn several self-massage techniques if you wish to enjoy the benefits of massage from the comfort of your home.
Some of the best massage techniques that address headaches involve using light pressure with soft and frictionless strokes on your head. Massaging the back of your neck and spine with massagers is another excellent technique. To learn more, here is a look at how you can use massage therapy to help relieve headache pain.
- To relieve facial tension, place a thumb on each temple or the soft spot between the corner of your eye and your ear and apply gentle pressure. Use small, circular motions and gradually increase the pressure, then slowly move your thumbs along your hairline until they meet in the middle of your forehead. Continue until the facial tension subsides.
- To relieve neck tension, place both hands on the back of your head and interlace your fingers. Then drop your head forward and allow the weight of your arms to pull your head down gently and stretch the muscles of your neck and upper back. Raise your head and repeat until the neck tension subsides.
- For general headache relief, you can use your thumb and forefinger, then locate the skin between the thumb and forefinger of your upper hand, which is the LI-4 acupressure point that connects the nerves into your cranium. Use firm but gentle pressure, then pinch the area and hold for 30 seconds or until your headache subsides.
Massage therapy can be effective and helpful in relieving pain from different types of headaches in the long run. If you are gentle in administering a specific massage technique, self-massage can be a convenient way that helps relieve headaches. However, some types of headaches should not be addressed solely through massage therapy, such as traction-inflammatory headaches caused by infection or stroke.
To learn more about the different massage therapy types and their benefits, you may visit Online Massage Courses at https://onlinemassagecourses.info or email them at info@onlinemassagecourses.info. You can also opt to call their hotline at +31613974023 for immediate inquiries.
Online Massage Courses offer different teaching courses for various types of massage, such as bamboo, relaxation, hot stone, and herbal stamp massage.
