headache after massage

Exercise Daily – After getting a massage, we frequently experience feelings of relief and revitalization. The tissue is healthy, and relaxation of the muscles takes place, which helps to calm us down. However, some people have a headache after massage.

Normally, massage lowers the pressure that is exerted over the body. Thus, it has the effect of reducing stress and stimulating our nervous system once more. After receiving that message, you could end up with a headache occasionally.

In order to slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and reduce the number of stress hormones in your body, the massage therapist will use a variety of methods and techniques during the massage.

Following a session of deep tissue massage, some people report experiencing headaches. It can be a cause for concern. In addition to its beneficial effects, massage may also have unintended consequences for the recipient.

Causes of Headache after Massage

The following are some potential causes that could be contributing to your headaches. If you are experiencing them, reading this post will most certainly be of assistance to you.

Head position during massage

Getting rid of fatigue is just as important as making sure that your neck and shoulders are aligned correctly. If you don’t care for the area being massaged, there is a high likelihood that the client will experience pain. It can occur either during or after the massage. 

headache after massage

It is very likely that you fall asleep in this uncomfortable position, and that you will wake up in a lot of pain. 

When giving a massage, the therapist should keep in mind how important it is to maintain correct alignment This is to prevent any complications or unwanted side effects.

A very high pressure

If the muscles and soft tissues receive an excessive amount of pressure, it may give the recipient a headache. It’s possible that you experience the side effect during or after the massage if your massage therapist uses excessive force. 

It can result in bruising and an increase in the flow of blood. As a direct consequence of this, we experience headaches as a result of the heavy pressure. When the pressure is lowered, the recipient experiences a greater sense of contentment. 

This is the goal of receiving a massage in the first place and might relieve headache after massage.

Dehydration

When a person exhausts from their daily routine, metabolic waste strikes in the muscles. It hinders the proper flow of blood throughout the body. 

As a result of the massage, your muscles will become more relaxed, and the lymphatic system will be better able to transport the waste products of your metabolism away from your body. 

What happens next is that your kidneys get a significant load for their excellent functioning. And, they require a greater quantity of water than they would normally use. Because of this, there is a decrease in total body water because your body extracts water from the bloodstream. 

You start to become dehydrated, which causes an intense desire to drink, which in turn gives you a headache.

Allergic Problems

It is possible that you will experience stiffness and irritation as a result of the massage if you are allergic to the product that was used in the massage or if you are sensitive to the smell of the product. 

As a consequence of this issue, sufferers may experience sneezing and sensitivity to pain. In spite of the fact that a soft tissue massage alleviates fatigue, it often comes with the drawback of a headache after massage.

A massage product that contains perfume, cleansing agents, or massage oil may be used by a therapist during a session. In order to prevent this allergic reaction, covering your nose with a handkerchief will be of some assistance.

Blood pressure changes

After receiving a deep tissue massage, it is strongly advised that you take some time to relax, seated or lying down. 

There is a chance that your blood pressure will change if you get up and start walking around. It is a cause of hypotension, which manifests itself clinically as a headache. It is best to avoid standing up too soon after lying down until there is a steady flow of blood throughout the body. 

headache after massage

Because the fluctuations in blood pressure, it can cause a person to become dizzy. Therefore, in order to solve this issue, you need to maintain your prone position on the massage bed.

Blood sugar levels

A drop in blood sugar is possible while getting a massage. This is because of the increased circulation. It has an effect on the concentration of cortisol, which is an important factor in the process of elevating the level of blood sugar. Hypoglycemia develops, which ultimately results in a headache after massage.

Which factors might contribute to the development of a headache normally?

Irregular Sleeping Pattern

A headache will develop whenever there is a disruption in the normal pattern of our sleeping schedule. In a typical 24-hour period, medical professionals suggest getting between 6 and 8 hours of sleep. 

You will experience anxiety and dizziness if you get less sleep than this amount of time every night.

Depression

Even though it is only one of the primary causes of headaches in everyday life, it is one of the primary contributors to having a headache. Worrying about something for an extended period of time makes you feel uneasy. 

In order to successfully deal with this issue, we need to resolve our issues as quickly as humanly possible.

Inadequate water consumption 

The average human body requires between 3 and 5 liters of water every day. We are worrying about nothing in particular, but the declining water consumption is making us anxious. It follows that we will experience headaches if we consume an insufficient amount of water.

Hormonal changes

Alterations in hormone levels are one of the most common causes of headaches. It can happen to both men and women, but pregnancy in women is the most common cause of hormonal shifts that accompany the condition. 

This is a natural process that is also connected to the changing of hormones and the use of contraceptives.

Blood pressure

Feelings of faintness are brought on by fluctuations in blood pressure. Imagine that it happens so frequently that it has a negative impact on human health and causes severe headaches, as well as headaches after massage.

Things to consider before getting the massage

headache after massage

Even though massage has many health benefits, some people experience severe headaches during or after receiving a massage. Therefore, we need to take the following points into consideration as prerequisites.

  • If you are sick with the flu or a cold, you shouldn’t get a massage. You can spread your illness to the masseuse as well as the other clients she sees. Rest is absolutely necessary for you until you have fully recovered.
  • Do not get a massage if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Your body will send you signals of pain that you will be unable to interpret, which will have severe consequences.
  • Before getting a massage, you should check in with your primary care physician if you have recently had an operation or surgery.
  • It is best not to participate in the activity if you are dehydrated. Your first order of business is to get some liquids in you, and after that, you should get a massage.

Recommendations to help prevent a headache following the massage

  • Be sure to hydrate well both before and after the massage by taking in a good amount of water.
  • Better to avoid deep tissue massage to avoid headache after massage.
  • After getting a massage, it’s often beneficial to follow it up with a refreshing shower.
  • Communicate with your massage therapist any concerns you have both before and during the massage.
  • Vitamin D, which can help relax your muscles over time, can be absorbed from the sun when you sit there.
  • After the massage, you should inquire about receiving some helpful advice from your therapist.
  • Consuming alcoholic beverages such as whiskey or alcohol can almost certainly have negative effects on the body.
  • On the day of your massage, eat your meal with moderation in mind.

Alternate Methods to the Traditional Deep Tissue Massage

Massage Chair

Getting a massage on a regular basis is one of the best ways to reduce stress. Muscle knots are broken up and the flow of hormones that make you feel good is stimulated as a result of the way massage moves the muscles and tissues. 

There are some genuine advantages to using therapeutic massage chairs. The purpose is to imitate the effects of a massage on the recipient’s body. 

In most cases, there is a selection of cycles to pick from, in addition to the availability of a heating element that can either be activated or deactivated. It is a great alternative if you get a headache after massage.

Yoga

It is the best substitute for a deep tissue massage because it incorporates all of the bodily pleasures. Yoga practiced even once per day, can fulfill the same function as receiving a massage once every day.

Lengthening and Flexing Your Muscles

It is also an alternative to massage because it achieves the same results—namely, the contraction and relaxation of the muscles. It keeps our muscles from becoming rigid and improves our overall physical fitness.

Meditation

This age-old practice might prove useful for accomplishing such a goal. It fosters a sense of pleasure that lasts throughout the day by bridging the gap between the body and the soul. Meditation is a good alternative if you have a headache after massage.

Foot Massage

Instead of providing full-body massages, massage therapists typically focus on upper and lower bodywork, including foot massage. It may be beneficial to refrain from getting deep tissue massages.

Utilizing Steaming Stones

The use of warm stones as a pressure maintenance technique is the most effective method for calming us down.

Best Massage Chairs 2022

Master Massage Rio Portable Massage Chair

The newest and most innovative Rio Portable Massage Chair from Master Massage is lightweight yet incredibly strong, infinitely adjustable, and extremely comfortable.

It features a removable kneeling pad, adjustable face cradle, armrest, chest pad, and seat pad. The use of aircraft-grade aluminum in its construction and other high-end materials ensures both long life and safety.

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Earthlite Portable Massage Chair

This massage chair will become a place of healing and energy, making it the ideal venue for massage therapists, sports therapists, and other types of therapists who work on clients on the go.

It folds up quickly and comes with a sturdy nylon carrying case that has a padded shoulder strap as well as a sternum pad. You will experience the highest level of comfort, in addition to incredible durability.

 

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Ataraxia Deluxe Portable Folding Massage Chair

Deluxe Professional Ataraxia Massage Chair has an adjustable armrest, face cradle, chest pad, and seat, as well as an advanced foam system for the most comfort. It features a Tool-free assembly.

The high-density foam system gives maximum comfort. It is lightweight, foldable, and versatile. 

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XZGDEN Full Body Massage Chair UL Approved

It has all the basic features a massage chair should have. All programs let you change the speed, pressure, and intensity.

It puts you in the best position to fully relax during a massage by taking pressure off your spine and letting the force of gravity help deepen your massage. 

 

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OOTORI Massage Chair Recliner

This zero gravity massage chair features calming heat, a full-body airbag, a foot roller, vibration, and a variety of other therapeutic features. It is crafted from premium-quality leather.

It brings your back into proper alignment in relation to your thighs, which can provide complete support for the neck and back, particularly the lumbar region. As a result, it enables you to feel comfortable and provides your body with profound relaxation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to get rid of headache after massage?

  • Acupressure
  • Acupuncture
  • Aromatherapy massage
  • Cryotherapy
  • Foot massage
  • Head and neck massage
  • Hot stone massage

Is it normal to get headaches after a massage?

After receiving a massage, your muscles may have become more relaxed. You may have experienced a reduction in stress. This effect should not continue beyond the day that the treatment was received. 

After receiving a deep tissue massage, it is not uncommon for clients to report that they are suffering from headaches. It’s possible that this was caused by an awkward head position during the treatment.

How do you get rid of a tension headache after massage?

Move your fingers up along your hairline, massaging your entire forehead and scalp as you go, while applying very firm pressure and moving your fingers in very small circular motions. Stop when your fingers meet in the middle of your forehead.

How much water should I drink after a massage?

After receiving treatment, depending on the time of day, it is generally recommended to consume between one and one and a half liters of water.

What should you not do after a massage?

  • Not drinking enough water
  • Take a shower immediately
  • Taking hot shower
  • Eating a large meal
  • Drinking coffee
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Doing strenuous exercise or activities
  • Stressing yourself out

Take Away

Because the pressure associated with deep tissue massages and other similar techniques can reawaken old wounds, effective communication is essential. Even if you do experience negative effects, the negative impact of a deep tissue massage shouldn’t linger for too long.

Share your experiences if you ever had a headache after massage and how you relieved it.