Massage for Headaches

One of the most descriptive explanations I ever heard about headaches was when someone told me that they were on a points system. Once you accumulated 20 points, or whatever your limit was, you ended up with a headache. Although there are a number of different kinds of headaches, to some extent this description is quite accurate.

Your point accumulation can stem from a variety of sources, ranging from stress to injury. It is also important to know that headaches can be associated with some serious life threatening conditions, so consult your doctor if you suddenly develop headaches.

Massage for Tension Headaches

Tension headaches caused by muscle tension are most common and vary in severity. Some people describe them as a tight band of pressure around the head. These headaches often originate in the neck and shoulders. They also often have a relationship with trigger points that refer pain from muscles at the base of the skull and in the upper back and neck.

Postural problems, mental and physical stress, and disturbed sleep can all contribute to tension headaches. Because of these contributing factors, tension headaches respond very well to massage.

Massage for Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are generally characterized by intense pain on one side of the head that may extend into the face, jaw, and neck. They are generally considered to be circulatory headaches, although some schools of thought suspect minor seizure activity in the brain in some cases.

Migraines can last from several hours to several days and may include nausea, dizziness, and sensitivity to light or sound. Factors that can contribute to migraines include stress, lack of sleep, hormonal changes, food allergies, medications, and bright lights and loud noises. Most folks with migraines never make it out the door to try massage as part of their treatment as they prefer to lock themselves in a dark room until the migraine subsides. Because of this, massage can often offer the best help just ahead of the onset or right after the migraine has subsided.

Other Types of Headaches

Headaches due to neck injuries are also common and usually related to muscle and ligament damage that may have stemmed from a fall or auto accident (whiplash). Sometimes the source of the pain can be from spinal subluxations that can be relieved through chiropractic care, but again massage is often a good therapy to consider, as most of the affected areas are soft tissue. Knowing your history is crucial in helping determine whether past injuries are a factor in your headaches.

Headaches can also stem from sinusitis, allergies, high blood pressure, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, tumors, or strokes, to name a few. This is why headaches should not be ignored and a proper diagnosis is crucial in determining the best method of treatment.

Concluding Thoughts

Once in a while I hear from a new client that they have occasional headaches. When I ask how frequent occasional is, they say, "once or twice a week." In reality you should experience a headache no more than a few times a year, if you are in good health. More headaches should lead you to seek medical attention to diagnose the source of the problem.

The bottom line is that massage is an effective tool in treating most types of headaches. As with many medical conditions, massage for headaches may be covered by your health insurance plan, so one of your sources for a headache, the treatment cost, need not be a major consideration.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call me at (425) 861-7334.