Shiatsu therapy for headaches and migraines

Hi Everyone,

I hope your summer was enjoyable, and you had some quality time spent out in nature with loved ones around you. Summer is often a time in my household where lots of family and friends visit, and as is sometimes the case, a random event reminds me why I love introducing Shiatsu to people.

We recently had some guests over and one of them had been having a headache for a few hours. He was going to take an Advil, but I offered to help him by using Shiatsu. He was very skeptical. His father is a medical doctor and everyone, “even his little brother of ten knew which pill to take when experiencing pain.”

After two minutes of giving him Shiatsu, his 3 HourHeadache disappeared.

“It’s incredible!” I can’t believe this works!” He had never considered that there were other ways to deal with pain than taking a pill to mask the symptoms.

This incident reminded me how important it is that people are given choices on how deal with their pain. I would like to share with you the Shiatsu’s perspective on headaches and migraines and what you can do for yourself to alleviate them.

Shiatsu Viewpoint!

The pain in your head is in most cases a symptom of a deeper issue and therefore your Shiatsu therapist will address the root of the cause.

Most headaches are symptoms of imbalances in the organs. These imbalances are caused by environmental toxins, food toxins or sensitivities, stress, rich fatty diets, and emotional distress. These causes affect organs such as the liver, gall bladder, stomach, spleen, bladder, kidneys, and large intestine.

NOT ALL HEADACHES ARE ALIKE

The stomach and large intestine imbalances cause Forehead Headaches.  Individuals who have a tendency to worry, crave  sweets and experience irregular bowel movements often suffer from these kind of headaches.

Headaches in the back of the head that feel like pulling are caused by imbalances in the bladder and kidneys. High stress, overstimulation from caffeine, alcohol and emotions such as fear can be some of the causes.

A headache that feels like a tight band around the head is caused by an imbalance in the spleen and pancreas. Excessive rumination, eating too quickly and gulping liquids, can be some of the causes.

WHAT’S THE ROLE OF SHIATSU THERAPY?

Your Shiatsu Therapist will address these ailments by dispersing stagnant Ki (i.e. blocked energy) and moving blood in the head, neck, and other parts of the body. Most importantly, the purpose is to create more balance in the whole body.

An experienced Shiatsu therapist after collecting information and proper assessment can pinpoint the root cause of the headache and migraine. Then go on to suggest a treatment protocol, lifestyle changes, stress reduction tips, or dietary changes. In some cases a referral to a specialist might be required to do further tests if symptoms persist.

Here are some acupoints that you can use, in between treatments, to bring much needed relief. First, always try to pinpoint where is the headache exactly and find below the appropriate pressure points.

[Liver 3]

Liver 3 – Good for all headaches and migraines.

Located in the depression on top of the foot between the big toe and second toe.

Good for headaches, stress, irritability, and overall energy circulation.

*Don’t stimulate when pregnant

Gallbladder 20 –

Good for sinus issues, neck pain, headaches,and eye problems. Located at the base of the skull, in the depression approximately the spine and the back of the ear.

Bladder 10 – Great for “tension headaches” cause by stress. When you feel the tension crawling from your back up the neck to the head. [Bladder 10]

Location: Where the ridge of your skull meets the neck on each side of the outside of the spine. Look for tender spots.

Large Intestine 4 –  Great for frontal headaches, jaw pain, neck and shoulder pain.

Location: On the top side of the hand, on the web between thumb and index finger. To locate, squeeze the [LI 4] thumb against the base of the index finger. The point is located on the highest point of the bulge of the muscle, level with the end of the crease.

*Don’t stimulate when pregnant

The next time you are about to reach for some pills to get rid of your headache, consider trying these acupoints to help your body restore its circulation.Use those points individually, or in combinations pressing for 2-5 minutes each point. If headaches or migraines persist book a Shiatsu treatment to assess and treat the root cause.

Sincerely,

Mihael Mamychshvili – RST
President Of Shiatsu Therapy Association B.C
Owner – Angel Hands Wellness
604.619.1926
www.angelhands.ca