There is no such thing as a “normal” or “regular” headache.
Pretty bold statement, huh? So many people suffer from the “occasional” headaches–about 30-80%. That’s a pretty large number. About 3% suffer from chronic or daily to almost daily headaches. Headaches can be debilitating and it makes me wonder why so many headache sufferers push through the consistent pain with popping Advil or something like that.
Different types of headaches have different causes
Headaches are pretty 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.
We work with a lot of people who suffer from migraines and headaches, and we get great results. It’s not uncommon for a client to come in for a massage with a headache and leave without one.
Massage can also reduce the frequency of headaches, since consistent massage helps to relax the muscles. That means that when you get stressed, you are less likely to get a headache or migraine simply because your muscles will have to tighten up a lot more in order to give you the same pressure and tension.
If you want to see if massage can help you with your headache, call or text us today at (970) 286-0033 or book a massage online.
Therapists:
All of our Licensed Massage Therapists are trained and enjoy helping people with headaches and migraines.