Various massage techniques for migraines that you can try

The pain in a migraine is much worse than a normal headache. Usually, the head will feel throbbing, and it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine headaches are quite disabling, making it difficult for a person to carry out various activities. One way to help deal with migraines is massage. Here's a massage guide for migraines that you can try.

Benefits of massage for migraine sufferers

Massage is a general term that includes pressing or rubbing areas of your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. These activities or techniques are often used as an alternative way to treat certain medical conditions, such as sports injuries, stress, anxiety disorders, joint and muscle pain, and headaches.

The type of headache that massage is often associated with as a method of healing is tension headaches (tension headache). However, several studies have reported that massage therapy is also beneficial in some migraine headache sufferers.

Reporting from the American Massage Therapy Association, a study on massage therapy and migraines found that migraine sufferers who received massage for 30 minutes five times a week reported a decrease in the frequency and frequency of migraine attacks compared to those who did not get massage. Heart rate, anxiety levels, and cortisol levels also decreased at the end of each massage session.

This can happen because muscle tension and pain often occur as a residual effect of migraines. In addition, stress can also trigger migraines in some people. If the migraine you are experiencing is related to these two things, massage can be one way to deal with it.

Various acupressure massage techniques for migraines

One massage technique that can be used to help with migraines is acupressure. This traditional Chinese medicine is done by applying pressure to specific points on your body. Here are some acupressure massage points for the following migraine headaches with proper massage:

Massage on hands

Massage points on the hands that can help relieve migraine symptoms, viz union valley or also known as the He Gu technique (LI4). This point is between the thumb and index finger of your hand.

The trick is to press this point with the thumb and index finger of your other hand. Press deeply and firmly for at least 10 seconds while inhaling slowly and deeply, then release. Do the same with your hand on the other side until the pain subsides.

Massage on the feet

Applying pressure to certain points on the feet can be one way to get rid of migraines with massage. Some of the massage points are:

• Bigger rushing (LV3 orgreat surge), which is above the crease where the thumb and forefinger meet. The trick is to gently press the point for two minutes on both feet alternately. Do it while sitting relaxed every time you experience a migraine or three times a day for optimal results.
• Above tears (GB41 or Zu Lin Qi), which is at the top of the foot, about 2-3 cm above the crease between the ring finger and little finger of the foot. The trick is to apply firm, but gentle pressure with your thumbs for one minute on both feet alternately.

Massage on face

You must reflex massage the face area when a migraine attack occurs. If the origin of the massage, your migraine may not improve. Conversely, pressing the right massage points can help deal with migraines that you experience. Here are some of these points:

• Third eye (GV 24.5 or Yin Tang), which is the acupressure point between the eyebrows, over the bridge of the nose. You do this by pressing the point using your thumb or forefinger with varying levels of pressure until you feel comfortable. Hold the pressure, then release it when you feel relief.
• Drilling bamboo (B2 orbright light), which is on either side of the bridge of your nose, at the bridge of your nose which is close to the tip of your brow. Press the point using the tip of your forefinger for one minute while taking a deep breath.
• Taiyang (EX-HN5), which are acupressure points located on the right and left temples. You just need to press both sides of your temples using the three middle fingers in a circular motion for a few seconds until you feel better.

Massage it on the neck

Not only relaxing tense muscles, massage points on the neck can also help overcome the migraines you are experiencing. One of the techniques is called gates of consciousnessor the gate of consciousness (GB20 or Feng Chi).

This acupressure point is located on the back of the head, below the base of the skull, in the hollow between the two large neck muscles. Pressing your thumb at this point for 2-3 minutes is believed to stimulate the release of endorphins, which are the body's natural pain relievers.

Massage on the shoulder

In acupressure, the massage points on the clothes are also called techniquesshoulder wellor Jian Jing (GB21). In addition to relieving tense neck muscles and shoulder pain, massage at this point can also help with migraine headaches.

This point is precisely in the middle between the end of the shoulder and the base of the neck. How to massage at this point to treat migraine headaches, namely by pressing gently to the bottom area using your thumb for 4-5 seconds. Then release it for a few seconds and then repeat the movement again until you feel better.

Massage on the ear

In addition to the usual massage areas above, acupressure points on the ears are also said to help with migraines that you are experiencing. This technique is also called auriculotherapy.

One of the spots is called a daith, which is on the cartilage just above your ear canal. Apart from acupressure pressure, doing acupuncture at this point is also believed to be able to treat migraines, including in children.

Other massage techniques to help relieve migraines

You can practice the acupressure above at home. However, apart from acupressure, there are several other techniques that can help relieve migraines. However, these techniques need to be done by an expert.

• Thai massage

In contrast to massage in general, the therapist on Thai massage or thai massage usually asks you to do massage in various positions. Quoted from a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, traditional Thai massage can be used as an effective alternative treatment to help relieve chronic headaches and migraines.

• Deep tissue massage (deep tissue massage)

Massage the deep tissue using firm pressure with slow motion to massage the deeper layers of the muscle. This massage technique can relax tense muscles, which may be the cause of migraine headaches. However, if you have a nerve injury it is better to consult a doctor before doing this one massage.

• Shiatsu massage

Shiatsu is a massage technique that is performed using fingers, hands, or elbows to massage. This massage technique has a great effect on the nervous system, which is why shiatsu is considered effective in treating migraines. When a migraine attack occurs, the therapist will focus on applying pressure around the head, neck and shoulders, in order to stretch the neck, which is key in overcoming migraines.