Headache: Headaches are easily defined, and we all know one when we feel it: it's a pain in the head. But not all headaches are created equal.Quoted From: https://selahwellnessllc.com/benefits-of-massage-for-pain/headaches-massage
""This is such a headache!"
It is so common that the term has become synonymous with an annoyance or a problem, but what are headaches, really? Can massage therapy really help?
Different types, different causes.
Headaches are easily defined, and we all know one when we feel it: it"s a pain in the head. But not all headaches are created equal.
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, with pain occurring on both sides of the head without other symptoms. The pain can range from very mild to severe.
Migraine headaches are often pulsing, and can be accompanied by nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, and hallucinations. Some people experience migraines only rarely, while other people experience them on an almost daily basis.
Cluster headaches are less common and are generally experienced as severe pain around one eye. "Cluster periods," during which many headaches occur during a period of time, are interspersed with longer periods without any symptoms.
Secondary headaches are not conditions themselves but are symptoms of other conditions. These conditions can be as everyday as a sinus infection or conjunctivitis (pink-eye), or more serious, like traumatic brain injury or meningitis. While the pain from secondary headaches can be managed, it"s important to focus on getting the appropriate medical treatment for the underlying condition.
Headaches and massage: The good, the bad, and the ugly
The good:
Tension headaches, the type that people are most likely to experience, seem to respond well to massage therapy. Not only does massage seem to reduce pain in the moment, but regular massage therapy also appears to increase the amount of time between headaches for those who experience them on a chronic basis. This could be a result of helping to manage stress or underlying mechanical issue, but there"s no solid science yet on precisely why massage helps, only that it does.
It probably doesn"t surprise anyone that people who experience regular headaches are also more likely to experience high levels of stress, depression, and anxiety. Studies have found that massage can help with these issues not just in the general population, but also specifically in people who live with chronic headaches.
Some people with secondary headaches can also benefit from massage. People with fibromyalgia, for example, who often experience them as part of their condition, can experience both pain and stress relief with regular massage therapy. While massage during a flare-up of symptoms may need to be modified to be gentler, some people find that it can provide relief both for headache as well as for pain throughout the body."
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