| Our mothers and fathers had it right. Do you | | | | sign of a migraine can often prevent it completely. |
| remember the old fashioned beauty salons and | | | | You may come to appreciate it to the point you will |
| barber shops? Daddy went for a haircut and a shave, | | | | be asking if your masseuse offers emergency after |
| and got the hot towel treatment; flat on his back in | | | | hour sessions, or house calls for those unexpected |
| the big chair with his eyes closed. Mother set aside | | | | migraine attacks! |
| two hours twice a month for a wash, rinse and the | | | | If you have had a migraine in the past 24-48 hours |
| latest gossip, then kicked back under the hair dryer | | | | you may wish to postpone this type of massage as |
| with a magazine - free of guilt, housework and | | | | the scalp and neck may be too tender. Other |
| children. | | | | reasons to avoid intensive head massage include |
| Life is stressful. It's easy to be overwhelmed by the | | | | severe eczema of the scalp or spinal problems. |
| stress and responsibilities of the day, forgetting that | | | | Another kind of massage is the Japanese based |
| the worries reflect not only on our mind and | | | | shiatsu, a form of acupressure which uses finger and |
| emotions, but also on our bodies. Many physical | | | | pulse points to relieve stress. Often migraine can be |
| ailments and symptoms can be traced back to the | | | | worsened or caused by tension and faulty blood |
| levels of stress in our lives, and it is important to | | | | supply to the head and spinal cord. Shiatsu can help in |
| remember that time spent relaxing is not time | | | | these cases. If used to treat an existing migraine, a |
| wasted - it's time invested. Learning to decompress is | | | | dark room and the laying down position are |
| an important step on the road to whole body healing. | | | | recommended. Often the therapist will let you stay in |
| Migraines are one of the leading stress related health | | | | the room for a little while after the conclusion of the |
| problems in the world. Tension, sinus problems and a | | | | massage, and you can use this time to relax and |
| multitude of everyday things can cause them, but | | | | absorb the full benefits of the treatment. |
| getting rid of migraines is not so simple. Finding the | | | | Whether used in conjunction with massage or alone, |
| time to sleep, de-stress or otherwise relax is almost | | | | essential oils are a popular tool for the prevention or |
| impossible. It often takes a conscious effort to make | | | | treatment of migraines. Essential oils should always be |
| time for taking care of yourself, but you will find it | | | | diluted in a carrier oil (try almond, sold in most health |
| pays off in many positive ways. Even if you need to | | | | food stores), and can be rubbed into the temples |
| continue taking daily or incident-targeted migraine | | | | and shoulders or heated in a 'burner' to release |
| drugs, alternative, holistic methods like the ones | | | | vapors. Coconut oil is good for scalp massage as it |
| outlined below give medications a better chance of | | | | rejuvenates the hair, while lavender, peppermint and |
| performing at their full potential. | | | | chamomile are favored for topical application after |
| Nowadays many beauty salons offer relaxation | | | | dilution. |
| therapy along with the traditional cut and dry. Don't | | | | Aromatherapy has gained credence as a migraine |
| let the expense throw you; it's comparable to the | | | | treatment because so many sufferers report an |
| cost of many prescription medications for migraine, | | | | unpleasant smell immediately preceding a migraine. |
| and could be more valuable in the long run. Check and | | | | Many believe that surrounding yourself with healthy |
| see if the salon offers discounts if you bundle | | | | herbal aromas can reverse the effects of a migraine, |
| services or sessions together, and try to have a | | | | and there is no denying that a pleasant scent does |
| standing appointment once every two weeks or so. | | | | promote relaxation. Favorites again are lavender, |
| Buying a series of sessions has the added advantage | | | | marjoram and rosemary. |
| of encouraging you to make it to every appointment. | | | | A final treatment your beauty salon might offer is |
| Indian Head Massage, or Champissage is one of the | | | | Hopi ear candles. These hollow flax tubes are dipped |
| most popular natural salon treatments for migraine. | | | | in honey and herbal oils such as chamomile, sage and |
| With its origins thousands of years ago in India, head | | | | St Johns wort. One is placed over the ear canal and |
| massage for stimulating hair growth was practiced | | | | lit, and the resulting flow of warm air softens ear |
| within the family. Over many years the practice has | | | | wax, debris and irritants and draws them up out of |
| evolved, and there are documented benefits for | | | | the ear. This has proven to be successful in treating |
| many different conditions. | | | | types of migraines triggered by sinus pressure. |
| A thorough massage of this type does not even | | | | Taking personal time for yourself can have far |
| require disrobing, and can be performed with the | | | | reaching mental, emotional and physical benefits that |
| recipient sitting or lying down. It's best to take off | | | | can help reduce the frequency and duration of |
| your spectacles and any jewelry you may be | | | | migraine headaches. If expensive prescription |
| wearing. You can possibly loosen your upper clothing. | | | | medications are not proving effective for migraine |
| I suggest that for your appointment you wear | | | | control, consider spending your money and time an a |
| something with a wide neck, and loose fitting. A | | | | salon rather than the doctor's office. The cost will be |
| proper massage will include the face, ears, neck and | | | | well worth it if it gives you that personal time away |
| shoulders in addition to the scalp. Many people claim | | | | from all your chores and concerns. |
| that such a massage received at the earliest warning | | | | |
