HEADACHE
Workshop - 1

Headaches are not all created equal. They can vary from a dull aching sensation somewhere around the head to a monstrous noggin splitting pain that can cause nausea, vomiting and various other unpleasant symptoms. This post lists the three general types of headaches.

Migraines. Migraine headaches occur when the blood vessels in the brain become dilated, usually due to a chemical reaction, such as food allergies or a stress response. They often start with visual disturbances and quickly develop into severe head pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and sensitivity to light. They're usually felt on one side of the head, but can be on both sides. Migraines are often managed with medications and avoidance of foods known to trigger them, such as red wine, chocolate, aged cheese, and nuts. However, some bodywork techniques can also be effective in easing migraines or decreasing the frequency of these painful headaches.

Tension Headaches. Exaggerated by stress, tension headaches are related to poor posture, jaw problems (such as temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ), and neck pain. Many people describe a headache that starts at the base of the skull and then moves in an arc over the ears and behind the eyes. Tension headaches are most often caused or exacerbated by poor posture, work station positions, and body mechanics, creating undue stress on the upper neck muscles.

Mixed Headaches. The term mixed headache is used to describe a tension headache that leads to a migraine. Typically, the tension headache starts first and the chemicals produced from the pain of it create conditions for a migraine to develop. In people with patterns of mixed headaches, the best way to avoid the onset of a migraine is to treat the tension headache.1

Check the next post to find out about bodywork options to take care of headaches.

1. Ulrich,Cathy. Holding Headaches at Bay,

Bodywork Eases Chronic Migraines and Tension Headaches.

Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/1058/Holding-Headaches-at-Bay-