Massage definitely does help tension headaches. No question about it.
There have been studies done which indicate that trigger point therapy and other forms of massage are beneficial for tension-type headaches.
I’m really biased about the value of massage. I have seen, and experienced, tremendous relief at the hands of highly skilled massage therapists.
But I have a question. Or two.
Why treat something after it occurs?
Why not prevent it from occurring in the first place?
Tension-type headaches, along with other types of head pain, are caused by making our muscles tense. How do we do this?
Poor posture, working or walking with our head forward, instead of over our shoulders. Sitting in rolled-forward positions. Being out of balance.
How can we prevent muscle tension headaches?
Sounds simple but it takes a little effort: We have to get back in balance.
Do you remember (your body remembers) the great posture you had when you were a toddler, when your head was over your shoulders and everything was in alignment? Your ears were over your shoulders and your shoulders were directly in line over your ankles. That is the same posture we should all be in again.
Rather than use therapeutic massage only to treat the symptoms of being temporarily or generally out of balance (your headache is a symptom), take advantage of massage to help you get back into balance. Talk with your massage therapist about this. Not all massage therapists have the education or skill to help you get back into neutral.
Of course, he or she will want to help you get rid of your tension headache, and that’s fine.
But he or she will be doing much more for you if they can help you by straightening you up and helping you get into a strong, neutral position.
Avoiding headaches is possible a great deal of the time. All we have to know is why we get them and how to stop doing that. That’s where Head Pain Natural Relief can come in.
We get headaches because we are out of physical balance. We can avoid headaches by getting back into balance–into neutral posture–when we sit, stand or walk and, yes, even when we sleep.
Pay attention to what you are doing when you start to hurt. That will give you clues as to what position you are in, which may be out of neutral.
Sometimes a headache doesn’t come on for a while after an activity, so look for a pattern. “After I do (blank) I get a headache.”
Ask yourself, “Why?” “What can I do to change my position, so I don’t strain my neck and back muscles?” “What can I do so I don’t clench my jaw muscles?”
Sometimes the (blank) can be as simple as watching tv. Why? Because most of our “comfortable” couches and chairs put our necks into forward positions, and that position strains our neck muscles. Our car seats are not so good most of the time, either.
If you pay attention and think about it, you may be able to pinpoint the activity or position which aggravates your muscles.
Even though there are advertisements for pain relieving medicine which addresses “the common everyday headache”, we are not supposed to have them. We are not designed to have them.
Let’s work on getting you back into the position you were born to be in. And, yes, massage can help you get rid of your muscle tension headaches.
Let’s work on getting you back to the neutral toddler you were.
Your body remembers; you can do it. A little time, a little work, but you can do it!
Kathryn, I just found your blog. Thanks for all the great info. I suffer from chronic tension headaches and I do think my car seat causes problems. I drive 50 miles a day one-way to get to work. I often get headaches on the morning drive. When I first got my car 6 years ago, I thought the headrest felt funny, like it was pushing my head forward, but I didn’t know what to do about it. While I’ve gotten used to it, I’m noticing that I probably don’t have good posture in it. If I sit with my shoulders back, the headrest pushes my head forward. If I adjust my head, my shoulders push forward. The headrest is not adjustable. Do you have any suggestions (short of buying a new car!) on how to deal with this?
Oh, Laurie, I know exactly what you mean about the car headrests! Aren’t they dreadful? And some are much worse than others. A new car may not help but when you start shopping for one, look for one with a less protruding headrest. Some even feel like they have a point aimed at your head!
Here’s something you can try. Place a folded hand towel or very very small pillow at your waist (between your waist and the car seat.) Make it to a size that feels comfortable and good to you. You may have to adjust it after a while. That pad will give you more of a curve in your lower back and let the curves in your upper back and neck fall into a more natural place. That means your head will sit forward more naturally on its own.
Here is something else that could help. Placing a thick pad on the whole back of your seat. That will move your body forward so the headrest will not be sticking out farther than your head does. I don’t have a recommendation for the type of full seat back pad but have seen similar things in catalogs. Also, if you sew perhaps you could create one.
You may think you have gotten used to it but your head is telling you that you haven’t. Your muscle tension headaches are a complaint. I’m glad you figured out the cause of your head pain.
One more thought: You don’t have to sit still while you drive. You might find it helpful to make lots of tiny movements. Turn your head slightly side to side, or up and down. Lift and roll your shoulders and let them drop. Shift your hips at traffic lights when you are stopped. Pretend you are chewing with your lips closed. Chew gum. Squeeze your shoulder blades together. Squeeze your belly toward your spine.
The point is that sitting still without moving can cause muscle tension in itself. Movement helps relieve muscle tension.
Thank you for writing. Laurie. If I was a car manufacturer, I would hire people just like you and me to sit in car seats and give them a thumbs up or thumbs down.
Who needs a tension headache?
Warmest,
Kathryn