Massage Therapy

Home Massage Care for Headaches

Massage is a powerful technique for relaxing the tense muscles that contribute to headaches. By stimulating pressure points in the head and neck, you can release blocked energy that can cause migraine and tension headaches. You can easily massage your own temples, forehead, and neck, but you will have a more relaxing effect if someone else performs the massage on you. So if time and money restricts you from visiting Balance, follow these simple steps to relieve that nagging headache.

1. Sit back and get comfortable
2. Dim the lights (bright light can intensify a headache)
3. Gently place the pads of your fingers to area above your ears, apply slight pressure to move the tissue in a circular pattern around ears (30seconds- 1 minute).
4. For increased pressure, push scalp against fingers (to avoid hand cramps).
5. Now move forward to your temples and continue using small circular movements (1 minute).
6. Once the vice has loosened, head to the base of your head & repeat small circular patterns along underside of your skull.
7. Now place both hands on either side of your head, use the fingertips to apply slight pressure and knead the tension away.
8. Run fingers through hair, gathering large bundles. Slowly & gently pull to separate skin from head (30 seconds).
For extra relief you can use the following hydrotherapy.
A hot footbath is excellent for easing a tension headache. Fill a basin with water (as hot as you can tolerate, you may also place 10 drops of lavender in water). Soak your feet in the water and at the same time place a cold cloth at the base of your neck or on your forehead (where the pain is concentrated). Relax for at least 15 minutes and keep replacing the cloth with a fresh one to maintain the cool temperature.
N.B. Lavender not recommended for women who are pregnant

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