Massage PROVENT in multiple studies to help Migraines and Headaches

2010 - Researchers at the University of Granada (SPAIN) -- in collaboration with the Clinical Hospital San Cecilio and the University Rey Juan Carlos -- have shown that the psychological and physiological state of patients with tension headache As researchers explained, the number of people suffering from migraines/headaches has drastically increased. Good news, here are some of the benefits massage showed in this study:
**improves within 24 hours after receiving a 30-minute massage...
**reduce the stress and anxiety associated to such a disturbing disorder

In a 2006 study published in the Annals of Behavioural Medicine, massage therapy recipeints exhibited fewer migraines and better sleep quatlity than the control group.

A 1998 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience found that massage therapy decreased the occurance of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms in adults with migraines.

2008 - Colorado medical study, Boulder College of Massage Therapy sponsored a unique study with subjects who suffered from chronic and severe tension headaches. After 4 weeks of specific massage treatments (compared to 4 weeks of no treatment) the subjects showed not only an immediate inprovement but a prolonged improvement as well.

Each client was given a 30 minute head and neck massage with specific protocols to follow within the given time frame.

The number of tension headaches dropped almost by half the very first week of massage treatments and by the end of the 4 weeks had decreased in frequency even further. It was also interesting to note that most of the clients reported a decrease in the severity of the tension headaches when they did occur.

The conclusion states, “pain associated with chronic tension headache can be alleviated through specific massage therapy treatments directed at cranial and cervical muscles." which is highly encouraging for anyone suffering from chronic headaches due to muscular tension.

I found (or refound) some of these studies while writing a letter to a local neurologist who I am trying to get referals from. So many people take medicine for headaches and migraines without even being told massage might be able to HELP. And sadly, even when the medications fail to work, they just (often) offer more medications rather then massage. So I am making it my mission to inform patients and doctors that MASSAGE HELPS MIGRAINES AND HEADACHES!