Massage for Migraine
What is a Migraine Headache?
A migraine headache is more than just a bad headache. It’s a neurological condition that causes intense, throbbing pain – usually on one side of the head. Migraines often come with other symptoms like nausea, light sensitivity, or sound sensitivity. Some people may also experience visual disturbances before the pain starts.
Triggers can include stress, hormonal changes, certain foods, strong smells, or lack of sleep. Migraines can mess with daily life pretty badly, making it hard to work, focus, or take part in normal activities, especially when they happen regularly or without warning.
What Is the Difference Between a Headache and a Migraine?
A headache is usually a steady pressure or dull ache felt around the head, often in the forehead, temples, or back of the neck. It can last for a few minutes to several hours and is commonly caused by tension, stress, or fatigue.
A migraine is more intense and brings extra symptoms like nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, blurred vision, and even visual auras. Migraines usually affect one side of the head and can last for hours or even days. They’re often described as pulsing or throbbing and may also cause fatigue and loss of appetite. Shortly, every migraine is a headache but not every headache is a migraine.
Common Triggers of Migraines
Certain foods can trigger migraines in sensitive individuals. This includes things like caffeine, alcohol, processed foods with MSG, and even nightshade vegetables. Keeping a food diary can help you figure out which items to avoid.
Changes in temperature, humidity, or air pressure may cause migraines in some people. While you can’t control the weather, tracking your symptoms can help you plan ahead and stay indoors on high-risk days.
In some cases, physical activity can trigger migraines, especially if blood flow changes suddenly. A more careful, gradual approach to exercise, with professional advice from a healthcare provider, can reduce the risk of migraine during workouts.
Emotional tension (stress) is a common migraine trigger. Learning to manage stress through methods like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or migraine massage may help.
Poor sleep or an irregular sleep schedule can make migraines more likely. Sticking to a consistent bedtime and aiming for enough rest each night (at least 7-8 hours for most people) can reduce the chance of attacks.
Changes in estrogen and progesterone – especially around menstruation – can lead to migraines. Some people find relief through birth control or hormone therapy prescribed by their doctor.
Benefits of Massage Therapy for Migraines
- Eases muscle tension. Helps loosen tight neck, shoulder, and scalp muscles that can trigger migraines.
- Better blood flow. Better blood circulation can reduce migraine pressure and discomfort.
- Less stress. Calms the nervous system, lowering stress that often leads to migraines.
- Helps with sleep. Regular massage for migraines can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer also waking up feeling more rested.
- Decreases migraine frequency. Consistent migraine relief massage can decrease migraine frequency.
- Eases anxiety. A sense of relaxation from migraine massage therapy can help manage emotional triggers.
- Supports overall health. Feeling more relaxed and balanced may make migraines easier to handle.
Types of Massage for Migraine Relief
Some types of migraine massage can help ease migraine symptoms by easing muscle tension, improving blood circulation, and calming the nervous system. These techniques don’t just target head pain – they also support the neck, shoulders, and back, which are often a part of migraine discomfort. While not a cure, massage for migraine can be a very useful part of a migraine management plan when done consistently and by a trained professional.
Trigger point massage
Trigger point massage focuses on tight knots in the muscles, especially around the neck, shoulders, and upper back. These knots can send pain to other areas, including the head. By applying pressure to these spots, this type of massage for migraine can help reduce tension and ease migraine pain.
Swedish massage
Swedish massage uses gentle, flowing strokes to help relax the body and improve blood flow. For people with migraines, this type of massage for headaches can ease muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and back – areas that often tighten during migraine episodes. It also helps with stress, which is a common migraine trigger, and provides deep relaxation.
Deep tissue massage
Deep tissue massage works on the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. For migraine relief, it helps release tight muscles in the neck, shoulders, and upper back – areas that often cause or contribute to migraine pain. The pressure is more intense than in a regular massage for headaches, but it can ease tension that may trigger or worsen migraines. Always let the therapist know if anything feels too uncomfortable, as deep tissue can be quite intense.
Active release technique
Active release technique (ART) is a massage therapy for migraines technique that focuses on tight muscles and soft tissue restrictions. For migraines, massage therapists usually work on the neck, shoulders, and upper back – areas that often hold tension and trigger headaches. A therapist applies pressure while also helping you with specific movements to help loosen tight spots and improve blood flow. This can greatly reduce stress on nerves and ease migraine symptoms. It’s especially helpful for people with migraines that are caused or contributed to by posture, overuse, or muscle strain.
Craniosacral therapy
Craniosacral therapy is a light-touch technique that focuses on the head, neck, and spine. The therapist gently works with the flow of spinal fluid and the small movements of the skull to ease tension. For migraines, this can help reduce pressure, calm the nervous system, and ease pain. It’s very gentle and deeply relaxing. It’s often used when migraines are caused by stress or tension in the head and neck area.
Schedule a consultation here to find out!
Massage for Migraine at Copper Wellness in Chicago, IL
If you’re looking for a natural way to manage migraines, Copper Wellness in Chicago, IL offers a migraine treatment massage that focuses on your unique health needs. As an integrative health clinic, we take a full-body approach, meaning that we can mix and match different healing methods to better work together, maximizing your health benefits. Our therapeutic massage sessions are designed to help you feel better.
We also offer other helpful services like chiropractic for migraines and acupuncture for migraines, which many patients find effective. At Copper Wellness, our care is fully personalized, gentle, and built around you and your health.
Ready to feel better? Schedule your visit today and experience the difference of integrative health care that truly supports you.
Reviews About Massage for Migraine
I am moving from Chicago soon and truly going to miss this amazing clinic.
From the beginning, I was clear that billing transparency was important to me. Despite that, I ran into repeated issues with billing. The clinic charged me estimated amounts that didn’t ultimately match my Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from UnitedHealthcare, and when I brought up the discrepancies—with actual documentation to back it up—I was met with defensiveness rather than a willingness to resolve things collaboratively.
One particularly strange policy I encountered was that this clinic might charge a “clinic fee” if UnitedHealthcare doesn’t accommodate their cash rates. This seems to blur the lines between in-network and out-of-network billing.
Meanwhile, claims weren’t submitted to insurance promptly, which delayed payments and caused unnecessary confusion—none of which was my fault as the patient.
Bottom line: I paid what I was invoiced on time, asked reasonable questions when things didn’t add up, and was made to feel like I was the problem for doing so. I’ve since paused services until this can be sorted out—and I feel compelled to share my experience here.
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We accept most major insurance plans depending on your type of service.
FAQs About Massage Therapy for Migraine
Where To Massage for Migraine?
For migraine relief, massage is most effective when applied to the neck, shoulders, base of the skull, and temples to ease tension and improve circulation. At Copper Wellness in Chicago, IL, we provide targeted migraine massage that focuses on pressure points commonly linked to headache triggers. These sessions help reduce frequency and intensity of migraines by relaxing tight muscles and calming the nervous system.
Can Neck Massage Help Migraine?
Yes, neck massage can help relieve migraine symptoms by reducing muscle tension, improving blood flow, and calming the nervous system. At Copper Wellness in Chicago, IL, we offer specialized massage for migraine that focuses on the neck and upper back — areas often linked to headache triggers. Many clients experience fewer and less intense migraines with regular treatment.
Can Massage Help With Migraines?
Yes, massage can help with migraines by easing muscle tension, reducing stress, and promoting better blood flow. At Copper Wellness in Chicago, IL, we provide therapeutic massage for migraine that targets common trigger areas like the neck, shoulders, and head. Regular sessions can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine episodes naturally and effectively.
What Should I Do Before a Massage Session?
Before a massage session, you should communicate your migraine history and preferences to your therapist, arrive early to relax, and avoid caffeine or alcohol. At Copper Wellness in Chicago, IL, we encourage clients seeking massage therapy for migraines to wear comfortable clothing and come a few minutes early to unwind. Sharing your symptoms helps us tailor the session to your needs and ensure the most effective, calming experience possible.
Can Massage Help With Other Types of Headaches?
Yes, massage can help with other types of headaches, including tension and sinus headaches, by easing muscle tightness and promoting sinus drainage. At Copper Wellness in Chicago, IL, our customized massage for headaches focuses on relieving pressure in the neck, shoulders, and facial muscles to reduce pain and improve circulation. Regular sessions can provide lasting relief and support overall headache management.
Can a Massage Therapist Help With Tension Headaches?
Yes, a massage therapist can help relieve tension headaches by reducing muscle tightness in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. At Copper Wellness in Chicago, IL, we offer targeted massage for headaches that addresses the physical stress and postural strain often linked to tension headaches. This approach not only eases current discomfort but also helps prevent future episodes through regular care and relaxation.
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