Remedial Massage for Headaches

In the average person's busy life, they can spend 8-10 hours a day sitting at a desk and staring at a computer screen. This puts a lot of physical stress on the neck and shoulders, leading to one of the most common complaints we see in the clinic: tension headaches.

The Anatomy of a Tension Headache

When you sit with a forward head posture, the muscles at the base of your skull (suboccipitals), your upper shoulders (trapezius), and your neck (levator scapulae) have to work overtime to hold your head up against gravity. Over time, these muscles develop trigger points (knots). These trigger points refer pain up over the head, behind the eyes, or around the temples, creating a classic tension headache.

How Remedial Massage Helps

• Targeted Release: A remedial massage therapist will specifically target these overworking muscles, using techniques like deep tissue massage and ischemic compression to release the trigger points.
• Improving Posture: By releasing the tight muscles on the front of the body (like the chest/pectorals) that pull the shoulders forward, massage helps you maintain a more upright posture, reducing the strain on the neck.
• Stress Reduction: Stress causes us to unconsciously clench our jaws and hike our shoulders. Massage calms the nervous system, reducing this unconscious tension.