How Lomi Lomi Massage Helps Relieve Headaches and Migraines
/Whilst it’s not clear what actually causes headaches and migraines, studies a proving how specific and regular massage therapy targeting a whole group of muscles simultaneously is absolutely reducing the duration, intensity and frequency of headaches, bringing real relief to chronic headache sufferers.
Taking medications can reduce myofascial tenderness in chronic sufferers but it’s the massage therapy treatment protocol that is successful in reducing pain associated with chronic tension headache and migraine.
The traditional Hawaiian Massage treatment for headaches and migraines works the whole range of muscles from the feet to the head and can include myofascial release techniques, specific facilitated stretching muscles, axial contraction, joint mobilisation, trigger points, acupressure points, breathwork and of course, the relaxation strokes.
Most massage therapies for headache will only focus on the muscles of the head, neck and upper back. And we do too…the upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital, splenius capitis, levator scapulae and temporalis are all treated in Traditional Lomi Lomi Massage – but what we know is that these muscles are connected all the way up and down the body, front and back, so the whole body needs to be included in an effective treatment.
Treating only one group and region of muscles is like walking around with only one shoe – it creates imbalance and the job is only half done, which is why relief doesn’t last long.
In one study we reviewed, a reduction in the number of headaches per week was noted for all subjects within the first week of massage treatment and continued for the duration of the study period along with decreases in frequency and intensity.
Another showed massage, with the correct stretching included, increases blood flow to tissues so active trigger points, they’re the hard “knots” and “tight spots” you can feel, are relaxed and released. Muscle trigger points are overactive parts of muscles that have become contracted increasing sensitivity to pain and irritating nerves.
Looking at computer screens, grinding your teeth at night, pushing your head forward as you walk, poor general posture due to weak back muscles and/or core muscles, hip imbalance, problems with feet and ankles, recruiting, using and overworking the “wrong” muscles to gain the strength to lift, sit and move, dental infections, gut health and internal toxicity are all relatively common culprits that activate headache inducing muscle trigger points.
Then of course if you’re stressed or worried often your neck will tense and lock up, your jaw will tighten, ears start to block, upper back gets that tight stingy feeling and the pain will start to run up behind your ear and into the back of your eye or it might feel as if you’ve got a headband on.
Sound familiar? If so, there’s a connection between your tension headache induction and muscle trigger point activity which can be relieved with targeted massage.
And because Hawaiian Lomi Lomi is a very practiced and specific massage protocol, there’s no need to guess or improvise during the treatment - generations of massage treatments have refined the understanding of how massage therapy works with the body to provide long lasting pain relief.
It’s an effective non-pharmacological treatment for alleviating chronic tension headache because it gives immediate, significant and meaningful reduction in headache frequency, intensity and duration.
Few massage therapies rival the full Traditional Old Style Hawaiian Massage therapy for pain and stress relief, and as word of its health benefits spreads, people are understanding it is so much more than a relaxation massage – it’s a complete body therapy wrapped in sensations of pure indulgence.
And then of course there’s Ho’oponopono which fits in with Lomi Lomi like a foot in a sock. Ho’oponopono gets into the background of what could be causing these headaches and migraines. It goes into the past to check out any unfinished business, old grudges, anger, pain, fear, resentment, disappointments and so on. It looks at what you’re holding on to that runs deep and is literally giving you a headache! Perhaps it’s time to let the pain go…
Whilst the internet is alive with points to prod, hold or push – there’s a few other lifestyle and wellbeing considerations to include in your management of chronic headaches and migraines. Putting together your own treatment and management plan not only gives you back your power over debilitating headaches, it can be a fun and creative research process finding out what works best for you.
Think about including:
soothing yoga nidra
helpful herbs prescribed by a Herbalist or Naturopath
nourishing nosh
meditation
breathing exercises
life counselling or coaching – it’s always important to look at and uncover any emotional or psychological issues connected to headaches and migraines. And the other thing Counselling does for you is to help you live the healing not the wounding - if you’ve carried wounding most of your life, it’s more than likely you’ll need a helping hand at first to show you how to live doing things differently
as well as a regular massage treatment – start with weekly or fortnightly treatments and then move it out to every three or four weeks.
It’s the combination of holistic elements that will give you the greatest ongoing relief and an effective alternative to prescribed or over the counter pharmaceuticals.
PS We can help you design a natural treatment plan and have a team of holistic experts that we can refer you to when you come in for your initial headache and migraine massage treatment
