Do you suffer from migraines, or know someone who does? Migraines can be completely debilitating—sometimes leaving you unable to function for hours or even days. Despite our best efforts to prevent them, migraines often appear without warning and can feel impossible to manage.
At Universal Healing Studio, we understand the toll migraines take on your daily life. While massage therapy isn’t a cure, it can be a powerful tool to help reduce the severity, frequency, and intensity of migraine symptoms.
Migraine vs. Headache: What’s the Difference?
Though the terms are often used interchangeably, migraines and headaches are not the same thing.
Headaches
Typically cause localized pain in one area of the head
Often triggered by dehydration, tension, or environmental factors
Usually short-lived and relieved with hydration, rest, or pain medication
Migraines
Often occur on one side of the head
May last hours to several days
Frequently accompanied by symptoms such as:
Nausea
Pain behind the eyes or ears
Sensitivity to light and sound
Visual disturbances (flashing lights, spots, or “auras”)
Temporary vision loss
👉 The only way to confirm whether you are experiencing headaches or true migraines is through a medical diagnosis from your doctor.
What Causes Migraines and Headaches?
Headaches and migraines can be triggered by a variety of internal and external factors. Some of the most common include:
Hormonal changes (especially in women)
Fluctuations in estrogen can trigger migraines before menstruation, during pregnancy, or around menopause.Alcohol and caffeine
Beverages such as red wine or excessive caffeine intake are frequent culprits.Stress
Both mental and physical stress contribute to body tension, a major trigger for headaches and migraines.Certain foods and additives
Ingredients like MSG, aspartame, and sulphites can trigger migraines in sensitive individuals.Weather and barometric pressure changes
Sudden shifts in air pressure—common in spring and fall—are known migraine triggers.Scents and sensory overload
Strong smells like perfume, cigarette smoke, or chemical odors can cause headaches and migraines.
How Massage Therapy Can Help with Migraines and Headaches
Massage therapy may not eliminate migraines completely, but it can play an important role in managing symptoms and improving your overall quality of life.
1. Massage Improves Circulation
Migraines are often linked to restricted blood flow. Massage therapy helps increase circulation to the neck, shoulders, and head, which reduces ischemia (lack of blood flow) and may ease migraine pain.
2. Massage Reduces Stress
Stress is one of the most common migraine triggers. Massage has been shown to lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and promote relaxation, making your body less prone to stress-induced migraines.
3. Massage Relieves Muscle Tension
Tight muscles in the neck, shoulders, jaw, and back can contribute to headaches and migraines. Massage helps release this tension, reducing both the intensity and frequency of flare-ups.
4. Massage Supports Better Sleep
Poor sleep can trigger migraines and make them worse. By promoting deep relaxation, massage therapy helps reset your nervous system and supports more restful sleep.
Book Your Massage for Migraines in Calgary
Migraines don’t have to control your life. At Universal Healing Studio, our registered massage therapists can design a personalized treatment plan to help ease migraine symptoms, reduce muscle tension, and improve your overall wellbeing.
Whether you’re looking for relief from chronic migraines or occasional stress-induced headaches, massage therapy can help you feel more in control of your health.
👉 Book your massage therapy session in Calgary today and take the first step toward lasting migraine relief.
