1. Using Massage Therapy To Reduce Your Tension
Headaches
The most common type of headaches are tension headaches and are often described as a
constant, dull, achy feeling on one or both sides of the head, or like a tight band around the
head. Although they are not medically dangerous, chronic tension headaches can have a
negative impact on your quality of life and work productivity.Tension headaches usually occur
due to muscular tension or contractions particularly in muscles of the shoulder, neck, jaw and
scalp. These muscle contractions can be a response to activities that involve the head to be
held in one position for a long time, stress, posture, sleeping position or a past injury such as
whiplash.We can help you!
After discussing your health history and assessing your posture I will then locate and treat
any tender points in the musculature of the neck, shoulders, jaw and scalp that may be
causing your tension headaches. Tension headaches usually respond extremely well to
treatment without residual effects, however if your headache started suddenly, is severe,
persistent, or other symptoms are present with the headache such as speech or vision
problems you should contact your health care provider to rule out other disorders that may be
the cause of your headaches.
Client success stories:
Donna (41) had been having tension headaches almost daily for a number of years as well
as regular migraines on a monthly basis. We determined that her high stress levels combined
with sitting at a desk all day as well as her regular gym activities caused her upper shoulders
and neck muscles to become very tense and achy. Palpation of these muscles also found
trigger points that were firing into her head recreating her headaches. After just 3 weekly
sessions where I released the tension and trigger points in these muscles she noticed a
marked reduction in the number and intensity of her headaches. Whilst she found some of
the treatment uncomfortable, she has now realised that she no longer needs to take daily
painkillers and only has the occasional headache when she becomes dehydrated. She also
noticed that her migraine headaches are much less debilitating. Donna now comes regularly
for maintenance massages so the musculature is unable to contract to its former levels and
thereby enabling her to live her life headache free!Gordon (81) had been having 2-3
headaches a week for as long as he can remember. Whilst he came to see me about a
hamstring injury we were able to work on both issues during a 1 hour session. Gordon’s
active lifestyle and postural changes causing his shoulders to be rounded and his head kept
in a forward position, were creating constant strain on the musculature of his upper back and
neck. After 4 sessions treating the fatigued lengthened muscles and reducing the tightness in
the overworked ones, his headaches have reduced dramatically. Gordon is very happy that
he no longer requires medication for his headaches and comes fortnightly to maintain healthy
muscles and to continue working on the postural changes so that he can continue to be pain
free as he gets older. Tips to prevent a recurrence of tension headaches:
•Apply warmth to the muscles of the neck and shoulders.•Use a different pillow or change
sleeping habits to ensure your neck is in a straightened position.•Ensure your working
environment supports good posture.•Mobilise the neck & shoulders frequently, especially if

2. you’re at a computer for long periods of time.•Drink plenty of water and get adequate sleep.
Click here to book a remedial massage therapist in Auckland City