5 Types of Headaches and How Reflexology Can Help

headache and massage

Headaches are one of the most common ailments that people have, but they’re also among the most misunderstood. There are many different types of headaches, each caused by different factors and with their own set of symptoms. Although headaches can be treated in a variety of ways by your headache specialist, massage and reflexology are treatments that can dramatically reduce your symptoms and even help prevent future headaches.

Let’s take a look at five common types of headaches and how massage and reflexology can help. 

Tension Headaches

The most common type of headaches are tension headaches, and these are marked by pain, pressure, and aches around the temples and along the back of the head. They’re caused by contractions of the neck and scalp and a natural response of your body to stress. You can often treat tension headaches with ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but reflexology is a powerful supplemental treatment to consider as well. This treatment focuses on the point in the valley between your big toe and second toe to relieve tension headache pain.

Migraine Headaches

Migraines are typically the most severe type of headache and can even cause nausea and vomiting. They can last a few hours or a few days, and migraine sufferers often have them a couple times per month. You may be more sensitive to light and noise while having a migraine and even feel dizzy or have no appetite. The best reflexology points for migraines are the temporal areas on the sides of your head.

Sinus Headaches

Sinus headaches occur when you are suffering from other sinus symptoms, such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, and fever. You’ll feel this pressure in your forehead, cheeks, and the bridge of your nose because the sinuses in your head become inflamed from the illness. A reflexologist may focus on your third eye point in the center of your forehead between your eyebrows, as well as the points on both sides of your nostrils, to alleviate sinus pressure.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are typically marked by pain on one side of the head and recur in cycles. You may experience watery eyes and nasal congestion with these headaches. The exact cause of these headaches is unknown, but reflexology may help you feel less restless and more comfortable. There are reflexology points at the back of your neck, on your upper shoulders, and at the base of the skull that may help reduce or eliminate cluster headache pain.

Rebound Headaches

Ironically, medication is used to treat headaches, but it can also cause them. Rebound headaches are believed to be caused by taking too many painkillers for headaches. This includes prescription drugs, as well as over-the-counter headache medications. They are often the result of withdrawal from medications and overuse of medications that affect the brain. A reflexology pressure point that you try yourself is in the web between your index finger and thumb.

Massages for Headaches

In addition to reflexology, a headache specialist may suggest getting massages for headaches to alleviate the pain and help you resume your normal day-to-day activities. Located in Midtown Manhattan, Aura Spa specializes in professional reflexology treatments and many types of massages to bring you relief without medication.