MIGRAINES AND MASSAGE

Migraines. We’ve all heard of them, and most of us probably know at least one person who suffers from them. But what is a migraine exactly?

Migraines are not just another headache. Experts used to believe migraines were precipitated by changes in the dilation of blood vessels. But it’s now believed that there is more to it than that.   The migraine pain occurs when the trigeminal nerve is stimulated and releases chemicals that can irritate the blood vessels on the brain’s surface and cause the vessels to swell. This swelling sends pain signals to the brain-stem, and the migraine pain begins. Migraine pain can be felt anywhere in the head and is most often experienced on one side, but the pain can also be felt in the face, jaw or neck. An acute migraine attack may make sufferers sensitive to anything touching their head, so massage therapy involving the head may be contraindicated in some clients during the acute attack. There is currently no test to confirm the diagnosis of migraine, so physicians must rely on their patients’ self-reports about the characteristics of their pain and the related symptoms in order to make the diagnosis of migraine.

HELPING WITH STRESS. One trigger that massage is likely to help combat is stress. Massage helps reduce stress and, in turn, may help reduce migraine frequency, severity and duration. While eliminating anxiety and related stress altogether isn’t realistic, massage can help your clients reduce and manage stress. Reduced stress levels can:

• Decrease anxiety

• Enhance sleep quality

• Increase energy levels

• Improve concentration

• Increase circulation

• Reduce fatigue

Anxiety, sleep problems and stress are all known triggers of migraine that massage therapy can help relieve.

 A study published by the International Journal of Neuroscience showed that body massage can decrease the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances, and symptoms of distress and increase serotonin levels in adults with migraines. How and why does this happen?

The theories are that there are two mechanisms potentially responsible for the improvements and increased hormone levels. First, increased serotonin may help relieve headache pain. Serotonin is a component of many pain-relieving medications. Second, increased sleep hours and improved quality of sleep may lower levels of Substance P. Substance P is a neurotransmitter that is believed to be an important element in pain perception. So put together, an increase in serotonin, which can help relieve pain, and substance P, which can alter pain perception, and you may have an excellent, naturally-occurring cocktail of pain relief, which is a great benefit for those who suffer from migraine pain.

Essential oils that may be beneficial for a person suffering from migraines:

Peppermint, Basil, Wintergreen and Ylang Ylang.  doTERRA also has some blends which would be very beneficial:  Past Tense and Deep Blue.

Wishing you Peace, Harmony and Balance.