5 Massages For Common Headaches

3. Hormone

Many women get headaches that are associated with their menstrual cycle hormones.

Light massages around your hips and lower back the week before a cycle begins can help even out levels of estrogen and progesterone as they fluctuate.

4. Caffeine Withdrawal

If kicking your coffee habit is becoming more challenging, a shoulder and back massage can help alleviate pain by pushing toxins from your body quicker.

RELATED: Treating Headaches Alternatively

5. Cluster

Cluster headaches are short in length and uncommon, but they are severe. They generally last under 90 minutes and happen around the eyes.

Massages can help relieve the symptoms of cluster headaches, but since the exact cause of cluster headaches can be difficult to determine, you should check with your doctor first.

The best time to get a massage

If headaches/migraines are having a direct impact on your life, getting regular massage therapy may help. However, if you don’t want to spend the money or don’t have the funds, getting massage therapy at the first sign of a headache or during one will also help.

You can also be your own massage therapist. Before you begin, ask your doctor or massage therapist for tips on technique.

One method you can try is acupressure, which has a long history of use for easing pain and headaches. Take your right thumb and forefinger to squeeze the fleshy tissue at the base of your left thumb and forefinger. Press down and massage the area for 5 minutes, and then switch hands.

Catching your headaches early enough can also help you prevent a full-blown attack. If your head’s already throbbing, massage therapy may put a stop to the pain, according to research.