Migraine Relief Possible with Massage Therapy

Migraine headaches can be debilitating, especially if you have them frequently. People can have migraine headaches a few times a year or even a few times a week. Migraines severity can range from moderate to severe and the most usual reasons include:

• Poor sleep
• Poor diet
• Stress and depression
• Allergies
• Low levels of blood sugar
• Lack of exercise
• Hormonal imbalances

Earlier studies suggested that migraine headaches occurred due to the constriction of blood vessels in the brain, but recent research studies have discovered that these severe headaches occur due to the chemical imbalances in the layer of tissue covering the brain. When serotonin levels decrease in the brain, the inflammatory response is triggered which causes blinding pain to patients.

Doctors usually prescribe medicines to balance the serotonin levels in the brain for the time being to temporarily reduce the pain. Unfortunately, these medicines carry risks and have numerous side effects, which is the reason these medicines are not prescribed to heart patients.

If you are experiencing migraine headaches, your Estero chiropractor and massage therapists can help reduce the frequency of these attacks. In a recent study, a group of migraine patients were taken in to a 13-week research program and they were divided in to two groups.  In the 10 week study, one group was given massage therapy and they underwent regular massage sessions. In the end of the research study, the results were:

• Improved sleep quality
• Lowered cortisol (stress hormone) levels
• Reduced anxiety
• Better ability to manage stress

Compared to the control group, the massage therapy group reported decrease in the frequency of migraine headaches. This research study proved how effective massage therapy is in treating migraines and related headaches.

If you are experiencing migraine headaches, visit us at our Chiropractic Care and Rehab Center in Estero, Fl. We have a skilled team of Estero massage therapists and chiropractors who are equipped with the specific knowledge and techniques to treat your migraine headaches so that you may enjoy a better life.

References

Lawler SP, Cameron LD. A randomized, controlled trial of massage therapy as a treatment for migraine. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2006;32(1):50-59.