For decades, many small studies have linked massage to migraine relief. High-quality research has also shown that massage therapy can help reduce common migraine triggers, such as stress and sleep problems. In addition, massage therapy appears to be an effective non-pharmacological treatment for relieving chronic tension headaches. A study showed a significant reduction in the frequency and duration of headaches, even though the number of subjects was small.
This suggests that a larger and more comprehensive study including an appropriate control group is warranted. Both tension headaches and migraines have been effectively treated with massage therapy. Not only can massage help relieve a headache, but it can also help prevent headaches from occurring. Massages and stress management are among the list of things that can help alleviate the symptoms of an active tension headache.
In addition, massage can also help prevent frequency, duration, and intensity of headaches. One scientific research study has been conducted on the effects of massage therapy on chronic tension headache. The 8-week study consisted of baseline headache measurements recorded during the first 4 weeks, when each subject acted as their own control, followed by 30-minute massage therapy sessions twice a week for the remaining 4 weeks of the study. The average headache duration decreased from 8.0 ± 4.3 hours during the baseline period to 4.3 ± 2.3 hours during the treatment phase, and the duration of each headache also decreased in each subject.
Sally Chamness, a massage therapist and owner of Phoenix Health and Wellness, states that headaches can be the symptom of many different things, from dehydration to hormonal imbalances and from tension to more serious neurological conditions. For massage therapists who suffer from headaches, Juczak insists that receiving a massage every four to six weeks is important for relieving muscle tension in the body. When it comes to headaches, massage can be a great way to relieve them without medication. Non-pharmacological interventions that address chronic tension headache include physical therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, acupuncture and homeopathy.
Just one or any combination of these options can cause muscle tension and tension, a possible cause of tension headaches.
