Massage Therapy and Headaches

A remedy that many find effective, but not so many seek out, is massage. Massage Therapy can help relieve muscle spasms, improve blood flow and circulation, and promoting relaxation. It has been shown to be helpful in bringing relief for tension headaches and preventing migraines.

Massage has two roles when it comes to treating migraines and tension related headaches:

1. In a proactive role, massage treatments are performed on a regular basis to help the body maintain an optimal level of relaxation and stress-relief. This approach reduces the chances of migraine attacks and tension headaches significantly by relaxing muscle spasms and trigger points.
2. In a comfort role, massage is done to ease the pressure brought on during a migraine or tension related headache. By focusing on the neck, shoulders, and head, massage can decrease the pain and discomfort brought on by migraine or tension headaches.

A study found that in adults with migraine headaches, massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms. It also increased serotonin levels, believed to play an important role in the regulation of mood, sleep and appetite.

Guy Lacoursiere, RMT practices at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, located at 142 Erickson Drive. Call 403-347-3261 to book an appointment or visit us online.

Cupping Therapy

                Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine. It has been used all the way back to when the natives used the horns from the animals they hunted and use it on their own injuries with the use of the flame and pull out the toxins and eliminate pain. Now a days what a therapist would use are silicon cups and still give the same effect.

                What's nice about the silicon is that they come in a variety of sizes and provide an opposite stimulation than a typical massage. As opposed to the"pushing' down of the muscle, Cupping actually does the opposite. It is lifting up the muscle and connective tissue, fascia that surrounds the muscle. A therapist can move the cups around enhancing circulation, relieve congestion with someone suffering from colds, relieve pain and pulls out toxins that linger in your body's tissues. They do leave markings on the body but only last up to 6 days or so. Cupping is safe and has been very helpful with better range of motion in the joints and proper alignment to the body. Try cupping today!

Guy Lacoursiere, RMT, offers Cupping Therapy at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, located at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer. Call 403-347-3261 to book your Cupping therapy today!