Dr. Allan Horowitz, published newspaper article, Richmond Hill Liberal, Copyright August 29, 1990
Dear Dr. Horowitz:
I am having troubles with frequent headaches and a friend has recommended massage therapy. Would you please explain what massage therapy is? I’d like to know what benefits can be achieved. Is it used to treat any specific problems such as headaches or it is it used only for stress reduction and relaxation? Thank you for your time.
C.F., Richmond Hill
Dear C.F.
Massage therapy is one of the oldest forms of “healing,” and certainly one which is probably under-utilized by most people.
The “healing” from massage comes about because of an increase in the blood circulation through the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. The increased blood brings increased oxygen, nutrients and other cellular factors which promote healing of damaged cells and revitalizes other healthy but tired tissues.
When a muscle is damaged through overuse, fatigue, trauma or becomes stiff because of underuse, adhesions may form in the tissues around the muscles. These adhesions may contribute to stiffness and pain.
A properly-done massage may help to break down these adhesions and restore proper function to the muscle.
Massage is also used for specific cases where a patient may have a breathing or digestive problem. Increased blood flow and greater muscle flexibility may promote a faster or more regular digestive system, thereby helping to relieve such problems as constipation.
Relaxing the diaphragm and breathing muscles may help patients with certain respiratory disorders to breather a bit easier.
It must be remembered that massage does not offer a cure for most of these disorders, but might help control symptoms.
Probably the most common “disorder” which massage therapists treat is stress. I am well aware that stress in itself is not a true disorder, but rather it is a symptom which arises from many different sources.
The massage therapist must understand that a massage might help alleviate the effects of the person’s stress (tight, sore muscles, stiffness, back aches, etc.) but they should also be trained to recognize that the stress is there for a reason.
I believe the massage therapist is doing a disservice to the patient who is massaged regularly without any regard or discussion about why the need is there for a massage. In other words, the therapist must try to establish why their patient is continually in need of a massage.
If they like massages because they feel good after having one, then that is quite understandable. However, if the patient always returns in a state of tension and anxiety and states that he/she just couldn’t wait for the massage, I think the massage therapist has a duty to investigate.
Like a good doctor knows when a specialist is required, a good massage therapist knows when the symptoms the patient is complaining of must be investigated further, usually by a chiropractor or physician, simply because most problems they see have to do with the musculoskeletal system. Most massage therapists have a doctor they consult with if they think it is necessary.
I think you can now see that you answered your own question. Headaches are a symptom of something else – muscle tension, stress, hormonal changes, spinal disorders, allergies, circulatory problems and so on.
If your headaches are so-called “benign headaches” and have been thoroughly investigated and all the experts have told you that you must learn to relax, then yes, massage might help these headaches.
If your headaches have not been previously investigated in an attempt to find their origin, then you should do this first. Then ask your doctor or chiropractor to refer you to a good massage therapist.