Some people think that the solution for a headache is simply rest and relaxation, or an over the counter medication, some headache sufferers search out the immediate relief that Massage Therapy can provide. There are many (over 100) types of classified headaches, most notably Migraine Headaches. Where most pains in the cranial region of the head can be sourced to a musculoskeletal or cardiovascular origin, Migraines have not just those causes, but also nervous system components. It may be useful to know what triggers the headache, Migraine or not, so that the Massage Therapist can make sure that the session is free from those stimuli. Some more common triggers are aromas, allergens (such as pollen, pet dander, or caffeine.
Migraine Headaches are a very specific type of pain. They have specific symptoms, and demand that the Massage Therapist knows, not only the appropriate treatment , but also about the treatments that the receiver may be currently using, under the guidance of their medical provider.
At Manual Therapy Inc., the therapist that works with the headache sufferer may suggest that the session address just the neck and shoulders, to help alleviate the headache as efficiently as possible. Of course, a whole body relaxation massage is beneficial for any headache type. Three specific therapies that are useful for headaches are:
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation or PNF: A specific modality or muscular energy technique that use contraction and stretching to facilitate muscular pattern retraining. These techniques involve the muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs by tricking the neuromuscular junction to re-set. To ‘break it of a specific habit’ it may have which enables the pain to continue.
CranioSacral Therapy: A technique of massage therapy involving gentle manipulation of the skull, spine and sacrum to relieve pain for maladies such as headache, TMJ, MPD and facial neuralgias.
Myofascial Release or MFR: Myofascial release is a modality of therapy used to stretch or ‘release’ the fascia encompassing every muscle and muscle group within the body.
Using cold packs placed strategically on the face, head, eyes, wrist or feet in also good to help immediate headache pain. Never use heat packs during a headache or migraine – heat dilates arteries and can cause more pain.
A 30-minute session focusing on face, neck and scalp using resisted stretching techniques such as PNF, Myofascial Release, effleurage, petrissage, and friction is recommended. Passive movements of the head and neck coupled with gentle traction and CranioSacral therapy will start the relaxation process to decrease involuntary muscle tension. The second step is to decrease the muscle spasm, which in turn will relieve pressure on the nerves and blood vessels. The intent is to also encourage lymphatic and venous drainage from the head and face. Using lymphatic drainage techniques on the face and neck are recommended especially for headaches related to allergy and sinus pain
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