Why you are getting headaches and how massage will help!

Hey guys! Tasha here. Today I want to talk about my favorite technique to use to ERASE headaches: Trigger Point Therapy!

90% of headaches are muscle tension related! The muscles in the neck and shoulder area commonly contain trigger points. Referred pain from these trigger points bring clients in for massage more often than for any other problem!

Trigger Points are extremely common and become a painful part of nearly everyone's life at one time or another. Symptoms include but are not limited to:

• headaches on the temples
• headaches at the base of the skull
• headaches/pain behind the eye
• dizziness or vertigo
• Jaw pain (TMJD)
• severe neck pain
• a stiff neck
• limited range-of-motion
• lack of sleep
• Back pain
• Rotator cuff (shoulder) pain
• Frozen shoulder
• Tennis elbow
• Arthritis/Tendinitis/Bursitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• pelvic/hip pain
• Sciatic pain
• Leg and knee pain
• Plantar fascitis (foot) pain
• Fibromyalgia
• ETC.

As you can see, if a massage therapist has a good understanding of trigger point referral and can identify the specific muscles involved causing the pain,  it could make a huge difference!
Several muscles can be involved and all should be addressed during the session. Most clients experience headaches of one type or another and incorporating Trigger Point Therapy into the massage session will bring about more relief of symptoms and longer lasting results.

I have struggled with headaches almost all of my life and discovering massage therapy was like finding a miracle! Massage has given me longer lasting relief from headaches and migraines than anything else. Now, as long as I get regular massage, my headaches are almost non-existent! Massage helps me live a more pain free life. I hope it can do the same for you.
Have a great day!
Tasha Ouderkirk, LMT