Shiatsu for Migraine Headache

Migraine headaches are vascular headaches that are frequently accompanied by visual disturbances, as well as nausea and vomiting. Shiatsu will release congested energy and blood from the head and promote the natural flow of digestion to ease the pain.     Steps: 1.  Clear head tension and congestion by placing your thumbs on top of your ears and bringing your index fingers one over the other on the top of your head. Apply pressure to this point using your index or middle finger.   2.  Use the pad of your thumb or middle finger to apply pressure under the bony ridge at the base of the skull, approximately 1 inch away from your spine, to clear stuck energy.   3.  Clear your mind and release tension by pressing and gently massaging the point on the center of your forehead between your eyebrows.   4.  Release the pressure from behind your eyes as you apply pressure to the point found at the outer corner of your eye, just behind the bone.   5.  Relieve nausea and promote circulation to your hands and feet by squeezing the back side of your hand at the fleshy mound between your thumb and index finger. Press the top of the mound toward your index finger with the pad of your opposite thumb.   6.  Promote the flow of energy and the circulation of blood, release cramps and spasms, relieve migraines, and calm the nervous system as you apply gentle pressure and movement to the point on top of your foot where the bones between your big toe and second toe merge.     Tips: If you are extremely nauseated or have very cold hands and feet, you will benefit from beginning with the points on your feet and moving toward the head. This promotes the flow of energy away from the head and encourages digestion to flow downward to alleviate nausea.   Migraines are sometimes triggered by fluctuations in hormone levels, specifically estrogen levels. These headaches tend to occur just before or at the end of the menstrual cycle. For these migraines, the application of progesterone cream helps to alleviate the estrogen/progesterone imbalance and may completely resolve the headache. Consult your physician or health care provider if this migraine pattern applies to you.   Since a migraine is a vascular headache, fluctuation of hot and cold (bath to shower) is valuable to release a headache. The cold brings your body to its greatest constriction, so it may let go and release the headache.     Warnings: Avoid step 1 if you have high blood pressure.   Avoid step 5 if you are pregnant.   Migraines often increase sensitivity to light, and bright light may aggravate symptoms.   When applying pressure to the head, be gentle and don't overstimulate the points. Overstimulating draws more energy and blood to the head.   If your headache is severe or lasts more than two days, or if you have blurred or double vision, consult a physician immediately.