Massage Therapy to Ease Headaches and Tension Using very firm pressure and a tiny circular motion, gradually move your fingers up along your hairline until they meet in the middle of your forehead, massaging your entire forehead and scalp as you inch along.
Take your thumbs and place them just underneath your forehead, with the pads very close to the bridge of your nose. But this time you will press firmly upwards towards your forehead. Take deep breaths while holding this pressure for 10 seconds. Repeat 5 times.
Ease muscle tension
Or apply ice or a cool washcloth to the forehead. Massage also can relieve muscle tension — and sometimes headache pain. Gently massage your temples, scalp, neck and shoulders with your fingertips, or gently stretch your neck.
One of the best pressure points to focus on when treating tension headaches is the skin between the thumb and the pointer finger. Dr. Renee recommends massaging this area for 20 to 30 seconds at a time using the thumb and index finger of your opposite hand, or simply pinching and holding it for 10 seconds.
Which Massage is Best for Tension Headaches. Deep tissue and Swedish massage can both work wonders for tension headaches. There are also special techniques, such as trigger point therapy and facial massage, that can complement any type of therapeutic massage.
A head massage is a great way to boost your memory and improve concentration. It improves blood flow to the brain by making use of the right pressure points. It supplies your nervous system with more oxygen, helping to improve memory and concentration.
Trigger points in this part of the SCM muscle refer pain to the top of the head, temple, above and around the eye socket, and to the back of the head.
Tension Headache Causes
Some people get them because of tight muscles in the back of the neck and scalp. Most of the time, tension headaches are triggered by stress from work, school, family, friends, or other relationships. Episodic ones are usually set off by a single stressful situation or a buildup of stress.
Some natural ways to get your sinuses draining and relieve sinus pressure include drinking plenty of fluids; using a humidifier; avoiding cold, dry air; taking plenty of steamy showers; and drinking a cup of hot tea or soup.
The most common causes are headache, migraine, or infection. Most conditions that cause pressure in the head go away on their own or respond to over-the-counter pain medication. However, intense or persistent pressure in the head may indicate a severe underlying medical condition.
Hold the index finger for Anxiety or Fear. Hold the middle finger for Anger. Hold the ring finger for Grief. Hold the little finger for Low Self-Esteem or Trying Too Hard.
To find the Hegu point , locate the webbed area between the thumb and index finger. Then move the fingers slightly down so that they are between the base of the thumb and index finger. Acupressure devotees say that Hegu can help with: anxiety.
Can You Massage Your Scalp Everyday? Massaging your scalp everyday will enhance blood circulation and can even strengthen your follicles. However, make sure you do it gently and don't rub vigorously. This can cause your hair to break.
Massaging the head encourages the supply of oxygen to the brain which is one of the best ways of reducing anxiety and of lifting one's mood. Oxygen helps you think clearly and creatively and a similar effect is experienced through exercise.
When someone touches you skin-on-skin, your body releases oxytocin, which is sometimes known as the love hormone. It can produce feelings of trust and stability and increase your self-esteem. No wonder you come out of a head massage with that glowing sensation!
At times, you may experience fatigue and drowsiness or muscle pain. Sometimes, you may also experience an increased urge to urinate due to the elimination of body toxins and waste materials.
Be seated and place one hand behind your back and with the opposite hand apply very light pressure on the side of your head gently pulling it towards your shoulder. You will feel this stretch radiating all the way down your shoulders, and maybe even down further to your fingertips.
Anxiety causes a heavy head feeling because of tension headaches common in people living with the disorder. Most people describe these headaches as feeling like a tight band wrapped around their heads. A tightening of the scalp and neck muscles also causes an anxiety headache.