Search Results for: massage

16 April 2013

Massage for Migraine: Are we talking about it enough?

James Treatments Champissage, massage, massage for migraine, The Journal of Headache and Pain 7

There are many migraine treatments that have been well studied. There are some that have been studied only a little bit, and that may be because the results aren’t all that encouraging.

Massage for migraine is something different – it has been studied, some, with encouraging results. But it hasn’t been studied nearly enough.

Yes, researchers are very positive about massage when it comes to migraine. Health practitioners do recommend it – sometimes. But could it be that this is a very effective treatment that we’re not talking about nearly enough?

Back in 2011, researchers published a review in The Journal of Headache and Pain, reviewing studies about physiotherapy, chiropractic, and massage therapy. The studies on massage therapy were small and not well designed. And yet clearly migraine patients saw improvement through this type of treatment.

Massage therapy is also frequently recommended for pregnant women with migraine, who are wanting to avoid most drug therapies.

One of the challenges with studying massage therapy is that there are so many different types. Of course there are actually head massages, such as champissage. But it could be that a shoulder, neck and back massage is even more effective. In fact, foot massages seem to be very helpful for migraineurs, even if it’s self massage using a good quality foot massager.

So with so many types of massage, and so many types of migraine and other headache conditions – where do you start?

In spite of the challenges, we should not be afraid to study massage, as both a migraine preventative and a treatment during some types of attacks. We will probably be pleasantly surprised to find that this safe, non-drug treatment is very helpful. It could be helping many more people, and there are already a lot of migraine patients who would tell you to try it.

The study mentioned above: Manual therapies for migraine: a systematic review

17 June 2010

1% Thursday: Foot Massage

James Tips, Treatments 1% Thursday, foot massage, massage, one percent Thursday 0

This week: Try massaging your feet when your head hurts.

I’ve written before about reflexology for migraine, so it’s no secret that I’m not convinced by the evidence for reflexology in particular. Then again, I am convinced that foot massage in general is a powerful tool to fight headache.

It’s no secret that how you treat your feet impacts your whole body. (Read more about the head-and-foot connection in this issue of HeadWay.) You might want to talk to your masseuse or masseur about giving you a foot massage next time you have head pain.

Then again, you might not need to spend hundreds of dollars to get some relief. Believe it or not, a good foot roller can make quite a difference when that headache is beginning. This very highly rated foot roller from amazon is only $15 (as I write), and you’ll see it has a bit of a twist from the normal foot rollers you’ve seen before.

Of course, another option is to have a friend do a good, deep massage on your feet when you feel that migraine attack coming on.

Whatever you do, try to get some good foot massage in next time you’re looking forward to an attack. You might find your feet can really help your head.

What is 1% Thursday?

Every Thursday at Headache and Migraine News (weather permitting) we’ll talk about one measurable, practical thing we can do to make our lives just 1% better. Usually it will be something very easy, sometimes it will be a challenge. Let us know if you try it, or share an idea of your own – and maybe a year from now we’ll see that things have really changed for the better!

27 August 2009

1% Thursday: Try a New Massage

James Tips 1% Thursday, massage, one percent Thursday 0

This week, try a different kind of massage.

Maybe you’ve tried massage before, maybe you haven’t. If you haven’t, this one will be easy – just go out to a massage therapist and get a 20 minute massage.

But maybe you’ve tried massage before, and haven’t found it all that helpful. Well, there are many different types of massage out there, and some will help you more than others. There are different parts of the body that can be massaged (and yes, head and shoulders are great, but a foot massage can help your headache too!), there are light massages and deeper massages, longer and shorter, and many techniques.

I suggest you get a professional massage this time, but of course you can have a friend give you a massage, or even try a self massage. You could go to the local library or go online to get some tips (example of online massage tips).

Sometimes we sell massage short because we see it as just one thing. It’s many things, and there may be a massage that can make a big difference for you, even if you only get it once in a while.

What is 1% Thursday?

Every Thursday at Headache and Migraine News (weather permitting) we’ll talk about one measurable, practical thing we can do to make our lives just 1% better. Usually it will be something very easy, sometimes it will be a challenge. Let us know if you try it, or share an idea of your own – and maybe a year from now we’ll see that things have really changed for the better!

24 January 2009

How to do a “Headache Massage” (Video)

James Tips headache massage, massage, video 8

Everyone has a different theory about massage for headache, and/or migraine. But sometimes it’s better just to do something, than to wonder about which to try, and end up doing nothing.

If you have someone who is willing to do a massage for you, this is an excellent start. Watch this video together and then give it a try!

And while you’re here, tell us – what is your favourite type of massage? What works best for the "typical" headache you have?

18 February 2006

Indian Head Massage (Champissage)

James Treatments Champissage, Indian Head Massage, massage 3

It’s all the rage in the UK, and it may even be in your city in Canada or the USA. It claims to help with anything from headache to hair loss, and it only takes 20 minutes out of your day. What is it? It’s Indian Head Massage, otherwise known as Champissage.

There are a number of slightly different treatments that go under the name of Indian Head Massage. But, in the 1970s massage therapist Narendra Mehta from Bombay India formalized the treatment while working in London. Champi means simply “head massage”, but the head massage is combined with massage of the shoulders and back. In its simplest form, however, the Indian Head Massage can just involve the head and not even any oil (although it’s recommended), making it very un-invasive and easy to do over a lunch hour.

Mr. Mehta’s version of the head massage is tied to the Hindu belief in energy centres in the body. Those of us who don’t accept the Hindu belief system may have trouble with a treatment based on these concepts. However, head massage itself is a helpful technique, based as well on simply the power of touch and the same muscle-relaxing techniques of any massage.

For those who easily get tense around the head, jaw and face, and who prefer a quick, less invasive massage, a basic head massage may be something to try.