While there are some measures you could take to prevent them, like investing in glasses for migraines or getting extra sleep, explains Rana Mafee, MD, a chief neurologist at Case Integrative Health, a Chicago-primarily based health facility focused on treating chronic illnesses, the throbbing, splitting pain can show up sporadically to every person whenever. Fun!
Most of the time, you, in all likelihood, pop multiple OTC pills and pray to God that you can get through the day. But, unluckily, that strategy may be doing more damage than good to the excessive quantities of caffeine in your favorite ache remedy meds. Given that, uh, caffeine does not always help with migraines. Since that entire pop-and-pray method is not tremendously effective, a few have grown to become additional natural remedies to fight their migraine pain at home. Some of those include just instantly massaging your head.
So, are massages proper for migraines?
The quick solution: Yes! While she doesn’t propose it as your sole treatment plan if you’re affected by consistent migraines, Dr. Mafee explains that massaging your head can nonetheless be exceptionally helpful in relieving pain. You can do it as soon as you start feeling the ache, smack dab inside the center of the migraine, or maybe throughout that awkward time while you are looking forward to your prescription meds to work while curled up in a mattress.
How does a rubdown for migraine pain?
Migraine massages work to apply unique stress as a means of pain relief, which comes from the conventional Chinese therapy approach of acupressure. Applying pressure to certain factors in the frame alters the pain messages your nerves send to your brain; because of this, you’ll begin to feel less pain than before, according to the National Institutes of Health.
So, in theory, Dr. Mafee explains that through the use of a rubbing movement on certain “strain factors” along with your palms, you may find some ache relief in that region. Since migraine ache is often discovered on one or both sides of the head, you’re going to want to rub that location—aka your temples.
Before you start massaging your head, consult with a neurologist first to see if this approach is right for you and your ache, as you might need a different treatment plan.
What form of massage is good for migraines?
Guys, this head rubdown is virtually tremendously easy and doesn’t require dispensing $$ for a flowery deep tissue situation.
Here’s the way to give yourself a migraine rubdown consistent with Dr. Mafee.
Mix drops every peppermint oil, frankincense, and lavender oil into one tablespoon of base oil (like almond). If you do not have the crucial oils handy, just the bottom oil is completely quality.
Rub a small bit of your mixture onto your index and middle fingertips.
Massage your temples with those two fingers in a circular movement for 30 seconds.
Switch directions and massage your temples for another 30 seconds.
While various people discover success with this approach (my migraine-ridden self blanketed!), Dr. Mafee stresses that it is essential that you do not press down too tough. By applying too much pressure, you run the danger of hindering the blood flow, hindering any comfort, and making your migraine worse. Basically, do what feels precise to you and don’t go over your ache threshold.
