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Headache Relief with Massage
Therapy
Easing pain and tension
for a fuller life
Chronic headaches are a
distressing fact of life for millions of people. The need to continually cope with pain often diminishes the quality of a
person’s life at work and home. With its ability to relieve muscle tension, promote healing of injuries, and reduce
stress, therapeutic massage can be a powerful ally in your battle against chronic headaches.
What type headache
do you have?
Tension headaches
Many headaches are due
to basic muscle tension. Tension headaches vary in pain level and are sometimes accompanied by band-like pressure around the
head. They originate in the neck, head and shoulders from tight, contracted muscles and/or trigger points (irritable spots
that refer pain elsewhere). Postural problems, mental and physical stress, and disturbed sleep patterns can all contribute
to tension headaches.
Migraine headaches
Migraines are characterized
by intense, one-sided pain, which may extend to the face, jaw and neck. They can last from several hours to several days and
involve nausea, dizziness, extreme fatigue and sensitivity to light or sound. Factors that can contribute to their onset include
stress, lack of sleep, hormonal changes, food allergies, missing a meal, certain medications, bright lights and loud noises.
Headaches due to neck injury
Muscle and ligament injuries
in the neck often cause headaches. These injuries can be caused by a sudden trauma such as whiplash, or have a gradual onset
from repetitious activities such as working at a computer for hours every day. Muscle tension and scar tissue in injured area
can limit movement, restrict blood flow and cause trigger points, resulting in head and neck pain.
Other types of headaches
Cluster headaches occur
in a series, then disappear for months at a time. Rebound headaches are caused by accumulated toxins from frequent use of
prescription or over-the-counter pain medications. Post-traumatic headaches are a result of head injury, may occur immediately
or well after the injury, and often go hand-in-hand with headaches due to the neck. Injury. Among the long list of other headache
causes are sinusitis, allergies, TMJD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), high blood pressure, tumors and strokes.
It is important to receive
medical attention for these, or any chronic or severe headache. Also, because there is a chance that a sudden severe headache
could indicate an emergency, if you experience head pain unlike anything you’ve experienced before, seek medical help
immediately.
How can massage
help?
Massage to the neck and
head can relieve headaches by releasing tight, shortened muscles, trigger points, and fascia (connective tissue surrounding
muscles and other structures). When muscles and fascia relax and become more pliable, circulation improves. This helps eliminate
irritating waste products and brings oxygen and healing nutrients to tissues.
If your headache is due
to an injury, massage therapy can promote healing and make restrictive scar tissue more pliable in the muscles and ligaments
of the neck. If posture is a factor, massage can help by increasing your awareness of tension patterns that affect your posture
so that you can take steps to improve it.
For migraines, massage
may be a powerful preventive measure. It can help reduce accumulated physical and mental stress and, over time, reduce the
frequency and intensity of episodes.
Stress and pain relief
The relaxing effects of
massage are a powerful way to ease stress and tension, an aggravating factor in almost any type of headache. When you focus
on the pleasant sensation of relaxation, the persistent grip of pain recedes. As the body relaxes, so does the mind, reducing
anxiety that may be part of your headache pattern. The nervous system calms, your breath slows and deepens, and your feeling
of well-being is restored.
Meeting your individual needs
Always keep your massage
therapist informed about your symptoms, medications and state of health so that she or he can ensure that your treatment is
comfortable and effective. To treat your specific headache pattern, your therapist will draw from an array of hands-on techniques
such as stretching or hot and cold applications. A single massage can provide much needed short-term relief. For more lasting
effects, your therapist may recommend a series of sessions.
A comprehensive approach
Because chronic headaches
often result from multiple factors, a multifaceted approach that includes massage may be the most effective treatment. Following
an exercise program or practicing yoga, tai chi, or other movement arts may help reduce muscle tension and improve posture
and balance in your body. A physician, allergist or licensed nutritionist can assist you if your headache has a chemical,
dietary or hormonal factor, Stress counseling may help you to learn to relax ad to express your feelings, which can prevent
stress from building.
Massage- a powerful ally
Massage therapy can be
one of your most powerful allies in coping with chronic headaches. It works on many levels to reduce physical and mental stress,
improve circulation, promote healing and increase energy. With the pain and frequency of your headaches reduced, you can enjoy
a renewed sense of well-being and an increased enjoyment of work, play and family life.
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