Headaches.A common and terribly annoying term that is used to describe a mild to moderate pain found anywhere above the neck. There are many different types and causes of headaches, and they are different in every person. Tension headaches are the most common type are are caused by tension within the overworked muscles of the head and face. Headaches of any kind can cause other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and irritability. Every person has experienced a headache at one point or another, but according to the World Health Organization, one in every twenty adults suffer from headaches every- or nearly every- day. Needless to say, headaches affect a lot of people on a regular basis in our world, but what can help?
There are countless remedies for headaches from medication to essential oils to massage. Today, we will be discussing how massage can help with headaches and a personal story about how massage has helped with chronic headaches.
The suboccipital muscle group is a group of muscles on the back of the head that works tirelessly to balance your head on top of your spine, according to Pain Science. Even if you are sitting down perfectly still, the suboccipital muscles are still working hard to maintain balance and posture of the head. Because of how overworked this muscle group is, there are a few trigger points that are very common that cause tension headaches. There are also common trigger points within the jaw and the forehead that are also known to cause headaches. Because the massage therapist has extensive anatomy training and can locate and work on a trigger point that is causing a headache, massage can be a very effective treatment method for headaches. Regular massage can also help to lower the stress and tension within the head and neck muscles, which can help to lower the chances of getting a headache in people who suffer from chronic headaches or migraines. From personal experience, massage is one of the most effective treatments I have ever received for headaches. I have suffered from chronic migraines since I can remember. It got to the point when I was 17 that I was going to have to get on a daily preventative medication. Rather than doing that, I researched and found that regular massage has been proven to be an effective treatment. I started getting massage on a three week schedule and within three months I had significantly lowered my rate of headaches and migraines. Before I began getting regular massage, I had a headache almost daily and a migraine two to three times a month. After beginning a regular massage regimen, I have a headache only two to three times a week and a migraine only once every one or two months. That is a vast improvement and it fits my lifestyle much more than taking a daily medication. I personally would recommend massage for anyone who has regular headaches or even can't find relief from a headache every once and a while.
Home Remedies
If you are not able to get a massage and need some instance relief, try out some of these home remedies that may be able to help!
- Peppermint Essential Oil- Rub a drop of peppermint essential oil along the base of the neck, temples, behind the ear, or any specific point that you are experiencing pain. The oil can help to rid or lessen the pain of a headache.
- Self Massage- You can do self-massage of your head and neck to try and get rid of a headache. Areas like the base of the head, jaw, temples, and right in front of the ears can be self-massaged to try and release tension and trigger points that may be causing your headache.
- Eat and Drink Water- Sometimes headaches occur because your body is trying to tell you that it is hungry or dehydrated, so eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water if you are experiencing a headache.
- Take a Nap or Go To Bed Early- If you are not well-rested, our bodies sometimes acts on in weird ways. Headaches are a common symptom of over-exhaustion or sleep deprivation, so taking a nap or going to bed early can help to get rid of your headache.
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