Migraines are one of the most challenging things to try and work through. Whether you’re at the office, your child’s soccer game, or you’re just sitting at home trying to relax, the side effects of a migraine are near impossible to overlook. While many will turn to prescribed medication or your typical pain relievers to try and alleviate the symptoms, many are unaware that regular massages can help reduce the chances of migraines.
In today’s blog, the team at Estelle Medical Academy is going to talk a little bit more about how massage can help with migraines. As a massage therapist, understanding the benefits and how you can help others is extremely important. Let’s get started.
What is a migraine?
To those who have not experienced a migraine, it can seem like a really extreme headache, but it is so much more than that. Migraines are actually considered a neurological disease that is associated with a throbbing sensation. Aside from that, migraines can also bring on food cravings, upper neck and back pain, issues with vision, vertigo, sensitivity to senses, exhaustion, and more. At times, the symptoms of a headache can last for days at a time. With such intensive symptoms, many who experience migraines regularly will do anything they can to prevent them from happening in the future, which is where massage therapy comes in.
How does massage therapy help migraines?
As we mentioned earlier, one of the symptoms that many people will experience alongside a migraine is tension in the upper back and neck. This pain can leave people feeling more exhausted and in deeper pain. This is exactly where massage therapy can help. By having a professional come in and work the muscles that are holding tension, the individual struggling with the migraine can feel all the better. In most instances, the massage therapist will know exactly where to work to release the tension that the migraine created.
Aside from that, massages have shown to help reduce stress levels, which in turn can reduce the number of migraines that someone is experiencing. So, if your client tells you that they’re experiencing migraines because of stress levels, a regular massage could be the thing that makes all the difference.
Things to Consider
As a massage therapist, there are certain things that you’ll want to take into consideration before a massage for someone with a migraine. As we mentioned earlier, sensitivities to senses can be extremely common, so it’s best to leave the lights dim and use very light fragrances in the room and during the massage. The tone and level of your voice can also make a big difference in how enjoyable the massage is for them.
Build Your Massage Therapy Career
If you are in the process of building a career as a massage therapist or you’re looking for ways to develop your education to better serve your clientele base, Estelle’s Medical Academy can help. For years we have helped individuals in the Chicago area achieve the education and skills that they need to thrive in the industry. Take a moment and learn more about the massage therapy program that we offer and apply online if you think it’ll be a good fit for you and your career. Contact our team if you have any questions, we are always happy to help!
