How Cupping May Help Your Migraines
A migraine headache is defined is a severe, pulsating, one-sided headache, lasting from 4 to 72 hours and which is aggravated by routine physical activity.
Migraines are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and/or sensitivity to light and sound. In addition, visual disturbances (auras) lasting from 4 to 60 minutes, may occur either before or during a migraine headache. Migraines are sometimes called vascular headaches because they involve a restriction in blood flow to the brain. Stress, or some other trigger, causes muscle tension and spasm at the base of the skull, restricting the blood supply to the brain. In response, blood vessels in and around the brain dilate in order to compensate for the reduced oxygen. The pressure of these dilating arteries on cranial nerves causes the severe throbbing pain associated with migraine headaches.
One of the best alternative therapies for a migraine headache is cupping. Cups are round vessels, 1″ to 3″ in diameter, which are applied to the body with vacuum suction. The vacuum is created either by means of heating the air inside the cup or by a mechanical pump. The local area of low pressure causes the blood to gather under the cup near the surface of the body, creating an immediate improvement in circulation.
Cupping helps to reset or regulate the tension in the arteries… helping to relax overly tense arteries and tighten those that are too lax. Cupping certain areas on the back can produce this regulating effect throughout the entire body. Cupping therapy enables the therapist to go deeper without discomfort to the client
HERE IS 5 WAYS CUPPING CAN HELP YOUR MIGRAINS
1. Improvement of circulatory function
2. Regulating & betterment of autonomic nervous system
3. Removal of pain
4. Relaxation of stiff muscles & tendons
5. Facilitates the flow of the lymph & blood
If you get migraines frequently throughout the month it is recommended that you receive cupping at least 2-3 times a month until your migraines become manageable. Once the frequency of you migraine has subsided you can reduce the amount of times you receive cupping and get on a monthly mainentenance schedule.