Tension headaches and migraines are something we all deal with at some point in our lives. Even a mild to moderate headache can be disruptive. A headache might lead to lack of sleep, skipped meals, and reduced physical activity. They may also cause us to call out of work, cancel social outings, or get behind on household responsibilities.
Clearly, headaches can take a toll on our lives. They can truly put everything on hold. If you’re looking for a way to relieve your headaches, recurring or otherwise, we have a solution for you: cupping therapy. In this article, we’ll explain how cupping can help improve migraine and tension headache symptoms.
Releases Stuck Muscles
Stuck or stiff muscles in the upper back, neck, and lower head can play a role in many tension and migraine headaches. While it isn’t always a direct cause, it can at least exacerbate symptoms when it’s present.
Via cupping, therapy cups are suctioned tightly onto the skin. These cups physically lift the muscle tissue, which can help separate stuck muscles. Releasing these muscles can help relieve physical pressure, which in turn may reduce headache intensity or frequency.
Eases Pressure on Nearby Nerves
Tight muscles or a buildup of waste products or fluid in your neck or upper back tissues can press on nerves. As a result, this can lead to pain. This pain may travel to your head, triggering a tension or migraine headache.
Cupping therapy can be a solution. With the ability of cupping to reduce tight muscles, this can lead to less nerve compression. Fewer irritated nerves can mean less painful headaches.
Improves Stagnant Circulation
Stagnant blood circulation and a buildup of blood in the muscle tissues of the upper back and neck area can impact your headache frequency. Poor blood flow or fluid buildup may be caused by an overloaded lymphatic system, a sedentary lifestyle, tight muscles, or even poor posture.
Cupping can help get your blood moving. As mentioned, cupping helps release stuck, tight muscle tissue. This release helps give space for the body to increase blood flow to the area.
Better circulation to the muscles allows the body to better supply the muscle tissue with the oxygen and other nutrients it needs to function properly. When the muscles are at their peak performance, they’re less likely to be tight and prone to tensing up or forming knots, which can otherwise lead to headaches.
Promotes Mental Relaxation
Even your mental state can affect your muscles. Negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, or stress can cause tense muscles, especially around the neck and head. This tension can then trigger headaches. This is why, when you’re experiencing a particularly stressful period in your life, you may have recurring headaches.
The gentle, warm sensation of cupping therapy can activate the “rest and digest” system of the body, reduce stress hormones, and encourage mindfulness. Because cupping can promote mental relaxation, it can then lead to reduced muscle tension. As a result, you may experience headache relief.
Want to give cupping a try for yourself? We have some sessions available on our calendar! Contact us today to schedule an upcoming session.
