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Treating Headache and Migraine with Shiatsu
Signs and Symptoms Current understanding of migraine sees it as a disease and headache as only a symptom. Migraine pain
is manifested by dilation (expansion) of the cranial blood vessels while headache pain is from constriction (narrowing) of
the blood vessels. With headache, the headache is the symptom. But with migraine, there are several
symptoms like nausea, vomiting, auras (light spots), sensitivity to light and sound, numbness, difficulty speaking, and severe
headache pain. Headache is a very common problem. There are several different kinds of headache like
hypertension headache, tension headache, sinus headache, cluster headache, eye strain headache, blurred vision headache, daily
headache and so on, but they generally last for 12 hours or less. Migraines can last for hours,
days, or weeks. Although many triggers, both controllable and uncontrollable, have been identified as bringing on migraine
attacks, the western approach to treatment with drugs can be more effective for some people than others. Being aware of one's
specific triggers is helpful, to an extent, in possibly averting or avoiding some migraine attacks, but it doesn't provide
an answer to the question of why these triggers exist for a particular person in the first place. Eastern
healing arts, on the other hand, have been used effectively for centuries to treat many of the symptoms (and most importantly,
the underlying causes) of migraine. Because of its holistic nature, Shiatsu seeks to stimulate the body's natural ability
to heal itself by correcting the flow of energy through the body's meridians. It is not unusual for a person to feel their
health improve on many different levels after a few sessions. Natural forms of healing
can be slower than western approaches, but people willing to pursue that avenue of wellness stand to benefit through a more
lasting improvement in their overall health. One should consider buying a package plan that provides for several Shiatsu sessions at a reduced per visit price to allow for this natural form of healing to take
effect. If
you are choosing to pursue alternative modalities, you may be one of many who will benefit from Shiatsu. Click the link above
or call 630-887-7278 for an appointment today. A word of caution to the reader with regard to previously diagnosed conditions: Shiatsu is by no means a replacement
for medication one might currently be taking by prescription. Quitting taking your medication "cold turkey" is dangerous.
But there are instances of people who were able to reduce their prescription doses (and even eliminate them altogether) by
getting on a regular program of receiving alternative therapy and continuing to be monitored by their doctor. Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise are also known
to benefit people on many levels to improve overall health.
Shiatsu and acupressure come from
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) where acupuncture involves fine needle insertions at various tsubo (classical points) along
the body's energy paths (meridians). In TCM, the meridians are thought to follow paths of an energy flow called ki. Shiatsu
is widely considered the Japanese version of Chinese acupuncture, using fingers instead of needles. It is the most
popular and highly respected form of manual therapy in today's Japan, and has been recognized as a Traditional
Oriental Therapeutic by the Japanese Ministry of Health since 1955. Sufferers of headaches and migraines can benefit from this holistic approach, as the finger pressure
used in the cranial area and temples, brings the potential for relief. Tension and congested energy from a headache or migraine
can be released with simple techniques from shiatsu massage. From
the perspective of TCM. imbalances in the liver and gall bladder meridians are the cause of migraines, and stomach and digestive
imbalances cause frontal headaches. The role of Shiatsu therapy for these ailments is to disperse stagnant Ki (i.e. blocked
energy) in the head and neck. In particular, the gall bladder channel to the side of the head would be the initial treatment
to relieve symptoms. Specifically, dwelling on a point at the back of the skull (known as gall Bladder 20) has a very beneficial
effect of clearing stagnant Ki from the head. A tsubo located between the eyebrows (known as the Yin Tan point) also shifts
stagnant Ki and will lift a cloudy mind accompanying a headache. The liver energy channel in the legs receives sedation-style
shiatsu, especially at Liver 3, a point between the first and second toes where the bones merge. This point is extremely useful
for bringing the flow of ki energy away from the head. Further attention will be given to the stomach energy channel in the
leg- specifically, the tonification of the point Stomach 36, which stimulates the digestive system and relieves frontal
headaches. The beauty of Shiatsu is that it treats each person as an individual and does not simply apply a standard treatment
to everyone based on similar symptoms. Instead, the whole picture of a person's flow of ki is assessed and through an
understanding of the balance of ki required for good health, a treatment plan is arrived at by the practitioner. This individualistic
approach is why different specific treatments for different people will be more effective than simply performing the same
procedure for everyone. Clients can also plan on leaving Lotus Way Shiatsu Clinic with some real tools that they can
take home and apply themselves. These tools will be tailored to their own particular needs at the time. |
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