Headaches & Migraines

Do you often suffer from headaches, or even worse, migraines? How do you treat yourself when you get one? Do you see your chiropractor or massage therapist? Do you medicate? Although medications can alleviate the pain quickly, they don't treat the underlying cause of the headache or migraine. A pill won't address the muscle tension you have in your neck or upper back nor will it fix the misalignment in your spine. Shiatsu therapy is another avenue of care to alleviate headaches and migraines. People who get shiatsu for their headaches or migraines find that they experience relief immediately.

When you go to a shiatsu therapist with a complaint of headaches or migraines, the therapist will ask you a number of questions. The purpose of these questions is to find the underlying root or imbalance that is causing these headaches or migraines. The reason for this questioning is that there is any number of causes of a headache or migraine according to Traditional Chinese Medical Theory.

Headaches:

For example, if you experience frontal headaches (the area related to you forehead) this indicates an imbalance with your stomach. Further questions would include "Do you get headaches when you are hungry or when you eat certain foods or foods that are either hot or cold?" "Have you been worrying a lot lately?"

If you have "bladder headaches" then they usually start at the occipital (back of head) and may move to the eyes. Maybe you have a bladder headache because of neck or back tension or perhaps you have a bladder infection. Are you craving salty foods?

If your headache is on one side of your head this is a "gallbladder headache". Have you ever fallen or been hit from the side? Do you or any of your family members have problems with the gallbladder or difficulties digesting fats? Are you often indecisive? Do you crave sour foods?

Perhaps your headache moves to different parts of your head. Are you angry, irritated or frustrated? This indicates a "Liver Wind Headache". Many Calgarians suffer from these when there is a Chinook in town.

Migraines:

If you get migraines, you know that there is a lot more signs and symptoms that you may experience than with a headache. Maybe you have nausea, visual disturbances, or mood swings. Loose stools, chilliness, no thirst, insomnia, ringing of the ears, hormonal fluctuations, may also accompany migraines. All these symptoms are important for your therapist to know, as they may be clues to your imbalances.

Once your shiatsu therapist asks all these questions, then he/she will have an idea on which meridians and pressure points to focus. She will work any areas of tension as well. Don't be surprised if your shiatsu therapist spends extra time on the feet. There are some very important points on the feet for treating any headaches or migraines as this helps to move the excess energy that is causing the pain in your head. Your shiatsu therapist's intentions are to help correct your imbalances so that the frequency and pain level of your headaches or migraines will decrease as will your dependency on medications.

© 2008 Balance Shiatsu