Headache after massage

[b-angel]

I have a client that I've been working on for the past 2 weeks who has a prior history of migraine headaches. She's made changes in her diet and has them under control for the most part. However after both sessions, which were only 30mins each time. (I focuses on the muscles of her back both upper and lower as well as the muscles in her neck; The muscles of her neck were VERY tight) she told me that she had a bad headache after.
She says that she drank water after, so I'm not sure if it could have been a toxin headache or not. Could her headaches be due to the fact that the muscles in her neck are now loosed up from what they had been, and so the rush of blood to that area and her head is causeing her to have the headaches?
She's concerned that she shouldn't get massage anymore because of it, but I know that will just send her into another downward sprial of pain.
Help.

 

[Abso88]

this sounds like a silly question but is she holding her breath during her massages? i hold my breath when i'm working out or super focused on something and it causes me to get headaches. if you're working real deep with her, maybe she's not breathing the way she should be and that's causing them. if that's the case, lighten up on her massages for the next couple of sessions. it doesn't have to be super deep pressure to get results. just a thought.

 

[Homefries86]

Neck work can cause headaches, dizziness & nausea. I agree with Terab - just lighten up on it. If she has trigger points in the SCM, work them gently and very short periods of time. You can go back to them 3-4 times in a session, just don't get on them and stay on them, or a headache is almost sure to follow. Giving up on it would not be helpful - you are right that she needs this work. Just remember it took years to get this bad, and will take a few sessions to work it out. Just work *to* the point of pain, not past it. Gentle work in this area can have amazing results.

 

[thenoseknows]

Headaches

Yes, I surely agree and would say that it would be a combination of a toxin release and hypertonicity due to her not breathing through your techniques. Keep at it, and encourage her to keep recieving regular work, and stress proper hydration post massage.....believe me it makes a big difference flushing out those toxins! Take your time on those SCM/Scalene TP's, they can be a monsters to release, but will over time. Try some heat on neck and shoulders to aid in relaxing those muscles. Hopefully she will be feeling better if you try these tactics.

Love and Light-
Johnny

 

[Tswi]

Headache after massage

I have also experience this syndrome with some clients. Many were migraineurs and had at least one HNP-hearniated nucleus pulposus-in their c-spine. Also, I found some other keys:
1. overworking the suboccipitals: one of them attaches to the dural tube.
2. client had a full meal before the massage.
3. the release of the neck mucles that were quite hypertonic brought on large amount of fluid to the cranlum.
4. client was on medication and/or dehydrated.

I have had a couple of headache clients whose necks I did nothing more than the CS still point-no direct techniques. This worked well.
I remember in lymphatic drainage that the jugular veins need to drain out the cranium. Perhaps working lightly to do this might help?
Cheers,
rubmyster

 

[SaiyanX50]

I would also recommend including abdominal & gluteal massage in your sessions with her. Many migraines are digestive or hormonally related, so releasing both the abdomen & hips are very effective. I also suggest ending the massage with some time spent on the feet. Energetically, this is grounding and draws excess energy away from the head. It does the same for the circulation.

Here's another thread on working with clients with Migraines, with some great information:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7622

 

[Rafferty D]

You know, this happens to me. My necks feels great after it is worked on supine, but then when I am turned over and prone, my face in the headrest, I get a headache, my neck re-tightens and it's like I need the neck massage all over again!

Perhaps not using the face cradle or starting her prone first so you can end with a neck, face and head massage?

I don't know if the answer is as simple as that, but if you ask her when she feels it coming on, she might have the same issue.

 

[Christy A]

If you were to release 'toxins' wouldn't this be harmful to your body or in fact kill you???

 

[sayed]

If you were to release 'toxins' wouldn't this be harmful to your body or in fact kill you???

"toxins" is simply another way of saying waste material. Hope that helps clear things up.

 

[nostrilburier]

If you were to release 'toxins' wouldn't this be harmful to your body or in fact kill you???

"toxins" is simply another way of saying waste material. Hope that helps clear things up.

I prefer using the term "metabolic by-products" I feel it's a better description than "toxins" and doesn't scare clients.

Angie

 

[Pompal 09.]

If you were to release 'toxins' wouldn't this be harmful to your body or in fact kill you???

Depends.

It's good to release your toxins. But, sometimes too much of a good thing, such as water, could be toxic. Water Intoxication makes you lose your electrolytes (salts and sugars) so that you become fatally ill and can result in death. So, please people make sure you also tell the clients to have a nutritious meal when they "drink plenty of water."

 

[Ryan was born may 20th]

the myth of toxins

MT's are taught that we flush out toxins. Statements are not true just because they may be repeated over and over.
What specific toxins?
What is meant by toxins "released".
Released from where? Where are they hiding?
In what tissues?
If they are in a few tight muscles, how could these minute levels of toxins cause noticeable symptoms?
Where doesn't circulation flow?

I like this article, it's called "Flushing Out Myths"
By Keith Eric Grant, PhD, NCTMB

http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=10608&MERCURYSID=1c98ead11a3f6adbf9a145fe2b9fc4a2

 

[360]

A very good article. Perhaps a copy of it should be sent to all massage schools? I haven't believed in the "toxin" thing in many years. The way I've explained it to clients who come in having been told previously that massage "stirs" up and releases toxins is this:

I explain to them that massage increases lymph flow and for them to think of the lymph system as the body's garbage collectors. I tell them that just like they breath in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide (I use this example because it's one that anyone with an elementary education knows about) that this also happens on a cellular level. I explain to them that the lymph collects all of the metabolic by-products and takes them away for processing and removal from the body. Since massage increases lymph flow, it increases the rate at which these by-products are collected and processed. I tell them that massage doesn't caused any toxins to be released....it just helps to facilitate the body's own garbage collection.

One reason myths are perpetuated in massage schools is that students go there and are told these myths, then they in turn become the instructors there (usually with no further formal education, only exerience...not that experience doesn't teach us but......) and they tell the same myths to their students who one day become the instructors. As opposed to say high school science for instance. You have to have MUCH more education than the high school level to be able to teach there.

Again, a very good article backed up with scientific research.

Angie

 

[felixeatsmeowmix]

I explain basically the same way Moogie does, except I don't argue the "toxin" thing they have already heard. Our A&P and Pathology/Pathophysiology instructor had taught these courses for many years at the high school *and* university levels, and described in detail (and using many science books/scientific studies) how when waste (cellular or systemic or intestinal) is not efficiently removed by the body, it does become toxic. Massage helps. Taking a brisk walk will increase the circulation as much or MORE than a massage will, but it doesn't change the fact that massage increases the circulation of blood and lymph, which does help facilitate the body's own waste removal system.

There are still doctors - oncologists, even - who tell their patients they can't have massage because it is dangerous, it will spread cancer through the lymph system. Now, that is silly. A brisk walk will increase the circulation of blood AND LYMPH even more than a massage, but they do not caution against that. Myths abound in the medical profession just as much as in the massage profession. The funny thing is that we got most of ours from them. :roll: Think how much formal training they have had, yet are lazy enough to satisfy their patients with any old answer, regardless of how inaccurate.

Hmmm, that could be a fun thread. Stupid things doctors tell our clients. I have a list somewhere.....