Massage, a common method of relieving migraine headaches, can be done by a professional, or you can do it yourself using this technique.
A light massage combined with migraine pressure points will give you the most relief. You just need a few simple points on how to massage a migraine headache.
Migraine Pressure Point Definition
It is important to learn the migraine pressure point or the points that bring relief. A migraine pressure point is a point on your body that, when pressed, will decrease the pain in your head. Surprisingly, a migraine pressure point is not necessarily the point that hurts the most.
A migraine pressure point can be slowly and rhythmically pressed and released and deliberately massaged for relief. This will release congested energy and blood from the head and relieve pain.
Migraine Pressure Point Technique
You’ll treat each migraine pressure point with these easy steps.
* Use only the pads of the thumbs or the first two fingers, never the tips.
* Keep the pressure light to moderate, depending on how sensitive the point is to your touch.
* Press hard enough that you can feel hardness or tension under your thumb or fingers.
* If a migraine pressure point hurts so much that you can’t take a deep breath, apply less pressure to that point.
* Let your fingers sink into the migraine pressure point while gradually applying pressure. Feel your thumb or finger going gently, gradually deeper and deeper.
* While your thumb or finger is as deep as you like, massage the point with small circular motions of your finger.
* Keep your thumb or finger on the migraine pressure point until you feel a movement or change there. It may feel softer or warmer.
* Now slowly gradually release the migraine pressure point until your thumb or finger leaves the skin.
* Repeat several times at the same point.
Migraine Pressure Point Locations
Remember to be firm, but gentle. Insufficient pressure on a migraine pressure point will not be effective; too much pressure will create tension in the surrounding muscles.
Here are some migraine pressure point locations to get you started. Start with the first and work your way through each point, consciously relaxing as you go.
1. Migraine pressure point at the base of the skull
Locate the bony base of your skull at the back. Place the pads of your thumbs under the base of your skull, each thumb about 1 inch from your spine. Holding your thumbs against the colon, tilt your head back slightly. Now press up gradually, counting to 10 and breathing deeply as you go. When you reach the deepest point, massage with small circular movements of the thumbs, maintaining pressure. When you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, again counting to 10. Repeat 5 times.
2. Migraine pressure point in the middle of the forehead
This migraine pressure point is located in the center of the forehead, right between the eyebrows. Using the migraine pressure point technique described above, and your thumbs or one of the first two fingers, gradually press inward, count to 10, and breathe deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage in small circular motions, maintaining pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 as you do so. Repeat 10 times.
3. Migraine pressure point in the corners of the eyes
Feel the face in the outer corners of your eyes. Move your fingers away from the eyes until you find the spots just behind the bone. Using the migraine pressure point technique and one or two fingertips, gradually apply pressure inward, counting to 10, breathing deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage in small circular motions, maintaining pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 as you do so. Repeat 10 times.
4. Migraine pressure point on the hand
Surprisingly, you have a migraine pressure point on each hand. It is the fleshy part between the thumb and forefinger. Using the ball of the thumb and index finger of the opposite hand, gradually squeeze the top of this migraine pressure point, count to 10, and take a deep breath. When you reach the deepest point, massage in small circular motions, maintaining pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, counting to 10 as you do so. Repeat 10 times.
5. Migraine pressure point walk
The last point you will use to eliminate migraine headaches is on the top of each foot. Locate where the bones meet between the big toe and the second toe. Using your thumb or fingertips, press down gradually, counting to 10, breathing deeply as you do so. When you reach the deepest point, massage in small circular motions, maintaining pressure. As you feel a change in the point, slowly release the pressure, again counting to 10. Repeat 10 times.
Different bodies respond differently to pressure points. These should work for you. For information on other migraine pressure points, ask a local shiatsu practitioner. A professional will also be able to give you a complete treatment for the relief or prevention of migraines.
