We’ve all felt the pain and discomfort of a tension headache in times of stress and worry. Headaches are one the most common-health related conditions in Australia, most often affecting people between the ages of 24 – 44.
Tension headaches feel ‘vice-like’, as if there is a tight band around the head. No fun…
Tension Headache Causes
Tension headaches can be caused by a range of factors:
- Dehydration
- Stress
- Muscle tension in the face/jaw, neck and shoulders
- Sleep patterns
- Eye strain/digital eye strain
- Pregnancy
- Poor posture
- Overwork
- Menstrual cycle
- Caffeine withdrawal or overconsumption
- Alcohol
While many of us reach for a Panadol, it may provide some initial relief, but is not a long term effective pharmacological treatment. What is needed is deep relaxation, and a natural treatment of the primary causes of tension.
What is the Best Massage for Tension Headaches?
Both Remedial Massage and Myotherapy are the best massage treatments for tension headaches. Remedial Massage and Myotherapy are effective in identifying the core origin of the pain, then helping to relieve the discomfort while also decreasing the duration, intensity and frequency, and minimising the chance of recurrence.
A Myotherapist may use any one or a combination of the following techniques to alleviate and reduce the occurrence of your headaches or migraines:
- Trigger Point Therapy
- Cupping
- Dry Needling
- Soft Tissue Manipulation
- Thermal Therapy
- Myofascial Release
- Corrective Exercises
A Remedial Massage treatment may include any of the following massage techniques in combination with stretching exercises:
- Trigger point therapy
- Myofascial release
- Deep tissue massage
- Cupping
In addition, the American Massage Therapy Association highlights research that demonstrates massages that target tension headaches can also reduce depression, anxiety and reactionary tendencies.
Many of us in Melbourne have experienced unprecedented stress-levels in 2020, and will continue to do so as we adapt to a “COVID-normal” way of life for a while. If tension headaches are beginning to bother you, discuss your issues and an ongoing treatment plan (including home exercises between appointments) with your therapist. A single appointment will most likely provide immediate relief but there is no magic bullet for chronic aches and pains .Long term improvements will happen only with ongoing therapy and an active treatment plan.
Book an appointment with a therapist today on 03 8598 9804 or online.