Head Massages to Get Rid of Headaches

Headaches vary from a mild nuisance to debilitating pain. Causes range from simple stress and tension to environmental factors to changes in the nerves and chemicals inside the brain that regulate pain.

Headache Types

A tension headache, also referred to as a muscular contraction headache, can occur anywhere in the head. It is a throbbing sensation or a band of pressure that can creep down into the neck and shoulders.

A migraine headache is an explosive head pain typically experienced in the same spot. Pain is described as stabbing, excruciating and debilitating. This type of headache can come with other neurological and physical symptoms, such as nausea, light and noise sensitivity, and visual disturbances.

Massage That Headache Away

Performing some self-massage techniques can be a simple way to ease headache pain, whether from simple tension or a full-blown migraine attack. Massage can ease tight muscles and trigger points. Trigger points are hyper-irritable areas of muscle tightness that can cause radiating or referred pain. Radiating pain travels from the origin. Referred pain is pain stemming from one area but felt in another.

Massage techniques should be performed over the entire head, neck and shoulder areas with emphasis on the area of pain. Areas to concentrate on include the forehead, temple area and the back of the skull.

Long, gliding strokes with minimal to moderate pressure should be performed starting from between the eyes moving up and across the forehead. Small circular strokes should be used in the temple area located on the sides of the forehead, into the jaw area and behind the ear. Pressure in the temple and jaw area should be lighter as to avoid more pain and possible damage to the delicate jaw joint. Movement of the entire scalp area with fingertip pressure can release tightness that radiates throughout the head area.

Since headache pain can originate or radiate to the back of the head and neck area, special attention should be given to the occipital area, or posterior portion of the head. The occiptial area has two ridges. Moderate pressure can be used here and should be utilized down into the neck area. For troublesome posterior head pain, the use of prolonged pressure massage can be performed with tennis balls. Tie two tennis balls in a sock and place them under the ridges of the back of the skull. Lie back and gently relax on the tennis balls with the chin tucked under for several minutes to release tension.

For headache pain around the eyes, gentle to moderate fingertip pressure can be used on the orbital bone. The orbital bone surrounds the eye. Start at the corner of the eye and press down with the index finger for a few seconds on the bone. Move a finger width and repeat across the eyebrow ridge and down across the bottom eye ridge to the nose area.

All massage techniques should start and end with a light, stroking pressure to introduce touch and signal the end of the massage. Pressure massage should be to tolerance. If headache pain increases or other symptoms are experienced, stop the massage. Seek medical attention if the headache gets worse or lasts for a few days.