Tension headaches and massage

Written By Raynette Du Toit

What is a Tension Headache?

A tension headache is a pain felt around one’s head as well as one’s neck and behind the eyes. The pain can vary between mild, moderate or intense. The sensation of the headache is described as feeling as if there is a band around one’s head.

Pain is felt around the head

Pain is felt around the head

What causes a Tension Headache?

Tension headaches are caused by the contraction of the facial and cranial muscles of the skull. This occurs mainly when people are stressed or due to lifestyle habits and poor posture.

Chronic tension headaches vs. Episodic tension headaches:

Episodic headaches lasts from 30 minutes to a week but less than 15 days a month for 3 months. Chronic tension headaches are headaches that last for hours and occur 15 days or more every month for three months.

Sternocleidomastoid’s referral

Sternocleidomastoid’s referral

Levator scapula’s referral pattern

Levator scapula’s referral pattern

Chronic Headaches and Massage Therapy:

Massage therapy can assist in the treatment of these tension headaches by relaxing the contracted muscles. Massage can assist in decreasing the intensity, frequency and duration of the headaches. In therapy we focus on the suboccipital muscles, sternocleidomastoid, the jaw and the trapezius. All these muscles help to support your head during the day. Massage promotes blood flow to muscles that may not get sufficient blood flow, relieving pain. Trigger points are points in the muscle that have become tight due to postural faults. Using Trigger point therapy, massage can help relax these Trigger points promoting better range of movement. Active trigger points can radiate pain to other muscles called referral. Headaches can be the result of trigger points in the neck muscles as mentioned above. Therefore, releasing the trigger points can mean releasing the headache.

Prevention is better than Cure:

To prevent the onset of tension headaches, ensure that your desk set up and chair set up are correct, make sure you exercise and stretch your muscles, seek help for stress management and avoid foods that you have experience trigger your headaches.

Important note:

It is advisable to seek medical assistance first for your headaches before commencing massage therapy as headaches may be signs of health factors that cannot be alleviated through massage. You should seek medical advice if the headaches begin on a severe scale, if you have not experienced headaches before, if they have occurred after a trauma, if the headaches are severe at night, if you experience seizures and vomiting (without feeling nauseous) and if constant headaches become severe.

 
 
Raynette Du Toit
Previous

How To Treat Muscle Spasms
Next

What is Therapeutic Massage?