Preventing Headache After Massage

In addition to the numerous positive effects that massage has on one’s health, this modality is traditionally practised to reduce headache pain(Trusted source). On the other hand, some people report getting headache after massage.

The question now is, why can a massage sometimes leave people with headaches, and how may this condition be treated? It has been demonstrated that massage can reduce stress and improve relaxation. This is likely due to the fact that massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and other stress-related factors.

When working with muscles and other soft tissues, massage therapists utilise a wide variety of different techniques. Therefore, following massage, you will experience a softer feeling in your muscles, particularly after receiving a deep tissue massage.

Some people believe that toxins released from their muscles into the bloodstream after receiving a massage cause them to suffer from headaches following the treatment. However, there are no research conducted in a scientific setting on this topic. In the meantime, there are more causes that can help you avoid developing this ailment. These causes are well understood and can be treated.

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Common Reasons For Headache

To begin, we need to have some background knowledge regarding headaches in order to get a better grasp on the reasons behind why we get headaches after getting massages. A headache is a typical symptom, and its severity can range from hardly noticeable to debilitating.

Tension headaches are the most frequent type of headache, and they are often accompanied with pain in the neck. There are many different types of headaches. One of the symptoms of a tension headache is a headache that occurs after getting a massage, which is very likely.

In general, the following are some of the more prevalent things that might induce headaches:

• Alterations in Blood Pressure Headaches can be brought on by alterations in blood pressure when the blood arteries in the brain become dilated. Changes in blood pressure can be brought on by a number of factors, including sexual activity, dehydration, hormonal shifts, neurological strain, muscle tension, specific foods that have an effect on blood pressure, extremes in temperature, and tension in the nervous system and muscles. excessive amounts of sleep, excessive amounts of activity, and excessive amounts of sleep.
  
  
• Hormonal shifts – Hormonal shifts are a major cause of headaches and are also one of the causes of hormonal shifts. Changes in hormone levels may result from the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, or the use of hormone replacement drugs like birth control pills. Changes in hormone levels may also be produced by birth control pills. Alterations to one’s routine, insufficient rest, and emotional strain can all bring on tension headaches.
  
  
• Headaches after massage are attributed to the pressure that is applied to the body, whereas tension headaches in general can be brought on when one’s feelings and thoughts are at odds with one another. depression, irregular food, change in routine, strenuous exercise, sleep disturbance.
  
  
• Dehydrated Headaches can also be brought on by dehydration, often known as a lack of water in the body.

What causes headaches after getting a massage?

After a massage, you may experience headaches for a variety of reasons, including the following:
Irritants or sensitization:

• Certain compounds in the massage area, such as fragrances, perfumes, cleaning agents, bed linen cleaners, and so on, have the potential to produce allergic reactions or sensitivities to this chemical in some people.
  
  
• Dehydration: If the amount of water in the body is low before the massage, paired with the dehydration of the body after the massage, this might cause headaches. In particular, if the performance of deep tissue massage can increase the likelihood of experiencing a headache following the massage.
  
  
• Too vigorous of a massage: A massage that is too intense, particularly one that applies significant effort to deeper tissues and results in increased blood circulation, might result in strained muscles, bruises, and headaches.
  
  
• Blood pressure fluctuations can be caused by just standing up after sitting or lying down for an extended period of time. This is especially true for individuals who already have low blood pressure. After receiving a massage, those who suffer from orthostatic hypotension may find that they have headaches.

How to prevent and treat headaches following a massage

If you want to avoid getting a headache after getting a massage and also learn how to treat one if you do, consider the following advice:

• Discuss your concerns with the person who is giving you the massage.
  
  
• Raise your voice when you’re getting the massage. As an illustration, provide feedback both when there is an appropriate amount of pressure and when there is an excessive amount.
  
  
• Avoid deep tissue massages.
  
  
• Make sure that you are crystal clear on the amount of pressure that you want.
  
  
• Instead of getting a full-body massage, try getting a massage on your head, feet, or hands instead.
  
  
• A minimum of eight ounces of water should be consumed both before and after your massage.
  
  
• After getting a massage, you should drink extra water for the next two days.
  
  
• It is important that you do not drink alcohol the night before or the night of your massage.
  
  
• After your massage, have a little something to eat.
  
  
• Inquire with your therapist about the best stretches to perform after a massage session.
  
  
• After your massage, you should take a shower, either warm or cold.

Takeaway

Although the specific causes may differ from person to person, some people have headaches after receiving massages. It’s possible that this has anything to do with the systemic effects that massage has on the neurological or lymphatic systems. It’s also possible that hydration levels have something to do with it.

Always keep in mind that it is in your best interest to consume a sufficient amount of fluids. There are a lot of other options available to you to explore in the event that conventional massages continue to give you headaches.