Headache After Massage: Causes, Treatments

Regardless of the origin, headaches are usually the toughest. People may not be able to enjoy their daily activities in a well-ordered manner if they are suffering from headaches. Many individuals use medication or teas to get rid of the headache, but it’s all in vain. As the world progresses, new methods are introduced, and everyone simply disregards previous techniques. 

Massage parlors have sprouted up in every nook and cranny of the metropolis. Many people are experiencing headaches after massage. They just relax their body and muscles but come with severe headaches. It’s not unusual to leave a session with somewhat sore muscles, particularly after a deep tissue massage. Massage therapists stimulate your muscles and soft tissues using a variety of techniques.

According to popular belief, massage is thought to create headaches by releasing toxins from muscle tissue into the bloodstream. There is no proof to support up this claim. Many people do, however, feel headaches during or after a massage. Here are some of the more standard causes of headaches during or after a massage and how to avoid them. 

The parasympathetic nervous system is activated during a massage, which lowers your heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones. Although massage is frequently used to cure headaches, there are times when a headache after a massage may occur. Massage has few serious adverse effects, and a post-massage headache is usually light and only lasts a few hours.

Causes Of Headache After Massage

Let’s review some basic headache information to comprehend headaches after massage better. Headaches can vary in rigor from mild to severe. Sharp, stinging, pulsating, dull, pinching, or aching pain can be characterized. Tension headaches are the most general type of headache. 

It can feel like a band is tightening around your head, and it can also cause neck pain. It’s most likely a tension headache if you have a headache after a massage. Many people complain of headaches, usually accompanied by a sense of malaise. Although this isn’t normally a cause for concern, these symptoms can be unpleasant.

Blood pressure changes

The tight constriction or dilation of blood vessels in the skull is one mechanism that may cause many forms of headaches. Dehydration, hormonal fluctuations, stress, eating particular foods, muscle strain, sex, extreme heat or cold, exercise, or sleeping too much can all contribute to this. Your blood vessels may contract and relax during a massage. Blood flow fluctuations might cause a headache.

Irregular schedule, stress, and less sleep

Stress, emotional and mental conflict, an irregular diet, an irregular meal schedule, vigorous exercise, depression, and interrupted sleep patterns are all variables that contribute to tension-type headaches.

Dehydration due to the release of metabolic waste

Your muscles loosen as a result of a massage. Blood flow to the area increases when your therapist applies pressure. The lymphatic system allows metabolic waste previously held in the muscle to escape the body. The kidneys work harder as a result, and they use more water than usual. Your body removes water from your bloodstream to aid this process. As a result, you may become dehydrated, resulting in a headache and a strong desire to drink.

Low blood sugar levels

Studies have shown massage helps diabetic people lower their blood sugar levels. This lowers cortisol levels, a hormone that causes blood sugar to rise. Although this is excellent news for those suffering from hyperglycemia, it may have unintended consequences for those suffering from low blood sugar. Massage, in particular, can produce moderate hypoglycemia, which can result in headaches and nausea.

Too much pressure

The massage may be too intense for a specific person’s body. If the therapist uses too much pressure during a deep tissue massage, it might result in aching muscles, muscle bruising, and increased blood circulation, leading to a headache.

Hormone changes

Hormonal changes are another major cause of headaches. Hormone levels naturally alter in both men and women, though they are most commonly associated with menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, or the use of hormone replacement and oral contraceptives.

Also Read: Best Crystals For Headaches!

Headache After Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is a kind of massage that uses more heavy pressure to relieve chronic muscle tension and reach more profound levels of muscle tissue. Its goal is to relax the muscles, which it frequently accomplishes; nonetheless, deep tissue massage can adversely affect during or after therapy. If you notice any of these manifestations and they are bothering you, tell your massage therapist to help you.

Side Effects of Headache After Deep Muscle Massage

Have an eye on these side effects.

Sore Muscles

Following massage therapy, muscle discomfort in the treated area is a common side effect. This is common because the muscles treated throughout a deep tissue massage may have not been contacted or moved very often, if at all. Soreness may feel like a good workout in the days thereafter.

Regular Pain

Throughout your massage, you may feel pain because your muscles aren’t acclimated to deep manipulation. This should lessen as the massage progresses; if it does not, or if it becomes too intense, notify your chiropractor so they can assess the treatment.

Sleepy

You may feel sleepy or tired after the massage. This could be due to muscle relaxation or tension relief following the massage. This impact should only remain for the duration of the treatment.

Nausea

Because massage involves the removal of toxins from the body, nausea may develop after treatment. It is relatively uncommon for clients to experience stomach pains in the hours and days following their massage.

Headache After Neck Massage

A massage should leave you feeling both calm and energized. Following a neck massage, though, there’s a chance this won’t be the case. If your shoulders and neck are not properly aligned during the massage, you may have some discomfort, leading to a headache. Headaches varying from gentle to severe have been reported as side effects of a neck massage.

Headaches are possible after a thorough and vigorous massage of the neck muscles. This could be due to a shortage of hydration before and following the massage. Before and after the treatment, you must stay hydrated. A neck massage may alter the blood flow in your blood vessels. 

The blood vessels in your neck tend to tighten and relax as you massage them. This may cause a headache by disrupting blood flow. This is especially true for people with diabetes. A neck massage can drop blood sugar levels, resulting in hypoglycemia, which causes headaches.

Headache after a lymphatic massage

The lymphatic system is an essential part of the immune system’s function. Lymphocytes are produced in the fluid, which helps to guard against infection. Unlike the blood circulation system, there is no pump to propel the fluid around the lymph veins and nodes throughout the body, unlike the blood circulation system.

As a result, a sedentary lifestyle can increase infections, sickness, and swelling, particularly during and after illnesses or surgeries. This message has the potential to give you a headache. Because this form of massage releases tension and toxins and moves them through the body systems, it effectively puts additional pressure on other systems. It restricts vessels, which is considered a natural result.

Also Read: Wisdom Teeth Headache: Causes, Symptoms, Remedies

Treatments Of Headache After Massage

Following Are Amazing Treatments Of Headache after Massage.

Stay Hydrated

You may be dehydrated if you get a headache after a massage. Not drinking enough water can induce mild dehydration, leading to headaches. Feeling thirsty, dry mouth, darker yellow urine, infrequent urination, dry skin, and muscular cramps are symptoms of dehydration. Consuming fluids can immediately treat mild dehydration. 

Caffeine and alcoholic beverages should be avoided. These things can cause more severe headaches, resulting in a migraine after a massage. Water is usually an excellent choice, but sports drinks with electrolytes are also available. Salt tablets should not be used to replace electrolytes because they can cause difficulties.

Natural headache cures such as drinking plenty of water both before and after your massage will help you avoid a dehydration headache. If it’s hot outside or exercises the day before your massage, drink plenty of water because sweating causes you to lose more fluids.

Monitor Your Blood Pressure

When people with postural hypotension rise after sitting or lying down for a long time, such as during a massage, their blood pressure drops. After standing for a short period, the person may feel dizzy or queasy. 

Postural hypotension has been associated with Parkinson’s disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, and alcoholism. Dehydration, anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, and certain drugs, such as antidepressants and diuretics, may contribute to this illness. If you’re experiencing symptoms of this ailment, talk to your doctor. To help treat the underlying problems, you may need to modify your prescriptions and supplements. 

When rising from a seated or reclining position, begin by moving your limbs and gradually increasing your height. Make sure you have something to grab on to keep your balance and don’t try to walk until the dizziness has passed.

Consume Sensibly On The Day Of Your Massage.

If you’re prone to low blood sugar, eat a protein-and-carbohydrate-rich snack one hour before your massage. It’s a fair idea to bring a second snack to consume afterward. If you have a history of hypoglycemia, inform your therapist ahead of time.

Massage treatments are rarely harmful, and you should begin to feel better right away. Consult a doctor if your headache does not go away after a few hours or is severe.

Alternatives to Massage

If you are experiencing a headache after massage tries these choices.

Acupressure

Practitioners use their hands to massage and adjust pressure points to encourage healing.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique for promoting healing and relaxation by inserting tiny needles into precise pressure points.

Massage using essential oils

Aromatherapy massages are less about deep pressure and more about relaxing. Essential oils, either relaxing or energizing, are used by the therapist.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a pain-relieving treatment that uses freezing temperatures to reduce inflammation and pain. You can use ice directly on your body or get inside a cryotherapy tank.

Facial

Technicians exfoliate and hydrate the skin while massaging the face during a facial.

Massage of the feet

To induce peace and relaxation, massage therapists concentrate on the feet and lower legs.

Massage of the head and neck

This soothing massage relieves tension in the neck, which is a typical source of headaches.

Massage with hot stones

This technique focuses on relaxation using warm, smooth stones and light to moderate pressure.

The Hot Tub

With the force of heat, a hot tub or warm bath can produce a feeling of relaxation while also easing tight muscles.

Meditation

Meditation, an ancient technique, can create emotions of calm and well-being.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a type of treatment that involves the application of physical force.

A physical therapist can help you cure sore and damaged muscles by giving you therapeutic stretches and exercises.

Massage with reflexology

This ancient massage technique used the hands, ears, and feet to treat the entire body.

Reiki

Energy transmission is used in this Japanese practice to promote healing and relaxation. Practitioners place their hands on or near your body but do not rub it.

Sauna

Sauna use has been associated with a reduction in muscle inflammation and discomfort.

Also Read: Headache From Heater: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments

Time To Neglect Massage

Admiring the considerable benefits of massage, there are illustrations of when it is preferable to abstain from the treatment. Massages that pressure an injury, such as scrapes, irritated skin, hernias, or recent fractures, should be avoided. If you have a cold or the flu, avoid getting a massage. 

If you’re inebriated, don’t get a massage. You run the danger of infecting your massage therapist and their other clients. Also, you must rest to recover fully, and massage can overstimulate your system. You could ignore pain signals from your body and end up with bruises or muscle injuries due to the massage. 

There are many different sorts of massage, some of which may or may not be suitable for people with certain medical cases. For example, deep tissue massage should be avoided by people with osteoporosis and pregnant women. Deep tissue massage should be avoided by people who have blood clumps because it can dislodge clots, leading to a stroke. 

Before getting a massage, make sure it’s safe for you to do so. Before obtaining a massage, talk to your doctor. If you’ve had surgery, chemotherapy, or another medical operation, or if you have a known medical problem, talk to your doctor.

FAQS

We are moving towards some queries.

Conclusion 

Some people experience headaches due to massage, albeit the exact cause varies. It could be linked to massage’s systemic effects on the neurological and lymphatic systems. It could also be linked to dehydration. It’s usually a good idea to drink enough fluids to get rid of Headache After Massage. If traditional massages are still giving you headaches, there are various other options to consider.