Do you have a nagging headache that just doesn’t seem to go away?  A migraine that haunts you?  Does this all hinder your day to day living?

Massage Therapy can help get you the relief you need.  In our busy lives, we take for granted the resources that are available to us.  We become dependent on over the counter products and prescription drugs that treat the symptoms and don’t get to the root of the problem .  With massage we can get to the root of the problem, get you the relief you need.

In my experience, I have seen a number of people over the years that can’t get rid of a persistent headache.  I will assess the clients symptoms, asking if there has been an injury, finding out where the headache or migraine starts at, and when it is full blown where it ends up at.  Most times it starts at the base of the skull and ends up behind the eyes.  In my practice I use a technique called Trigger Point Therapy.

So you might ask, “What is Trigger Point Therapy?”

Some people refer to it as deep tissue massage. A Trigger Point can develop in a muscle when there’s been an injury, the muscle has been overworked or from compensation. Trigger Point Therapy is finding the trigger point that is causing the referral of pain or other sensations.

With headaches and migraines, there are 3 different areas that the referral could be  coming from.  These muscles are:

• Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) located in the anterior neck
• Trapezius located in shoulder and upper back area
• Capitus and Cervicis muscle groups located in the posterior neck

How does Trigger Point Therapy help?

When working these muscles, I try to find the Trigger Point that is causing the onset of the headache/migraine.  When pressure is applied to the Trigger Point a referral is then ignited, and the client will experience what their headache/migraine feels like.  In applying pressure we are trying to minimize this Trigger Point and get the headaches to subside.  Over the course of a few more appointments we can hopefully get the client to be headache or migraine free.

My Own Experience

I suffered a neck injury in 2002, this left me incapable of doing the easiest of tasks.  I had migraines, carpal tunnel like symptoms and developed TMJ.  I was prescribed pain killers and muscle relaxants.  I took those for awhile, but did not like all the other things that came with it.  It didn’t cure the problem it was more of a bandaid.  I had seen a physical therapist, a specialist for a jaw, and a neurologist, after 18 months, the physical therapist said there was nothing more they could do for me.  I was still suffering from migraines and the other symptoms as well.

I began to think this was just going to be part of my life, living with pain and discomfort.  When I could feel the onset of a migraine coming on, and if I took something at the right time, it could catch the migraine in time, but if I didn’t, I would have a full blown migraine in no time.

In 2005, I was attending Massage School, one day I could feel the migraine coming on.  I missed my window of taking something for it.  I was miserable.  It just so happen to be the day we were going to be working on the SCM, low and behold, my migraine went away!  I couldn’t believe it.  I could move my neck without the tension.  Finally, I had the relief I needed after 3 years of coping with all the discomfort and pain I had.

So if you or someone you know, suffers from chronic headaches and migraines, try a session and you will be amazed at the results you get.  Most times it does take more than one session but in the end, you will have those wonderful carefree days back again.

Give me a call today!

Amy Morgan 507-469-1344