The most common headaches are vascular and muscle-tension headaches. Vascular headache, caused by the swelling and constriction of blood vessels, is typically accompanied by cramping or pounding pain. Tension headaches, caused by tense muscles, cause constant dull pain, often on both sides of the head. Both types of headaches can last for hours or days. A massage can relieve both pains because it relaxes tense muscles; this creates less pressure on the nerves and blood vessels which is what causes the pain.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Massage the Face
Step 1. Drink a glass of water before starting the massage
- Refill the glass and keep it with you so that you can sip during the massage. You will want to drink another glass of water after you have done your massage.
- It is important to keep the body well hydrated for 24 hours after the massage. The water washes away from the body the toxins released by the massage. Poor hydration after a massage can cause muscle pain and sleepiness.
Step 2. Place your thumbs on either side of the root of the nose, at the base, where it starts from the forehead
- Press the root of the nose, pushing the thumbs towards each other. Apply firm pressure but don't press so hard that it causes pain.
- Hold for ten seconds, then release and repeat 3-5 times.
Step 3. Keep your thumbs in the same place on the root of your nose, but rotate your fingertips towards your forehead
Press up with your thumbs, and hold for 10 seconds, then release and repeat a couple of times.
Step 4. Massage the area under the eyebrows
- Use the index finger and thumb of each hand to pinch the skin just below the eyebrows, starting from the root of the nose.
- Gently pinch the skin away from the face and hold it firmly for a few seconds before releasing it.
- Move your fingers towards the outside of the eyebrows and continue to pinch and pull. Move and repeat the process along the entire brow line if necessary.
Step 5. Put your three middle fingers or palms on your temples
Apply firm pressure and hold for 10 seconds. Massage this area in a circular motion.
Method 2 of 3: Stretch the Neck Muscles
Step 1. Tilt your head to one side, lowering the ear towards the shoulder
Let the weight of the head provide a natural stretch to the neck muscles and hold the position for 10 seconds.
Step 2. Return your neck to a normal upright position and relax for 10 seconds
Do the same stretch on the opposite side, lowering the other ear towards the shoulder.
Step 3. Repeat this neck stretch alternating side to side and pausing after each stretch, until you feel the muscles on both sides of the neck relax
Step 4. Drop your chin towards your chest to stretch the muscles in the back of your neck
Hold the stretch for 10 seconds and then return the neck to a vertical position.
Step 5. Repeat this stretch in the opposite direction, dropping your head back and looking at the ceiling
Method 3 of 3: Massage the Back of the Neck and the Base of the Skull
Step 1. Use your fingertips to massage the neck up and down
Massage the muscles you just stretched on both sides and on the front and back of your neck.
Step 2. Place the fingers of both hands on the base of the skull on either side of the nape of the neck
Step 3. Make a circular motion to massage the base of the skull
Move your fingers towards the ears slowly and complete the massage in the area around the ears.
Advice
- Placing a warm, damp washcloth on your face before starting the massage can help the muscles relax.
- The tension associated with headaches can also be found on the shoulders and back, but it is difficult to massage these areas on your own. Find a friend who can give you a shoulder and back massage, or see a massage therapist if self-massage doesn't relieve pain.
