Headaches are a common condition that many people experience at some point in their lives. They can range in intensity from mild to severe and may manifest as throbbing, sharp, or dull sensations in different parts of the head. Safe to say, headaches are not fun to experience!
Typical Kinds of Headaches
- Tension headaches
- Migraines
- Cluster headaches
Common Culprits for Headaches
Do any of these resonate with you?
Suggestions for Addressing Headache Pain
Exploring Treatments
In surveying effective treatment for tension headaches that originate from neck and shoulder tension, we are highlighting suboccipital massage. The suboccipital muscles are a group of four small muscles located at the base of the skull. These muscles play a crucial role in head movement & posture, and may often be tight or overactive in individuals with chronic headaches. Suboccipital massage focuses on releasing tension in these muscles, which can alleviate headache symptoms by improving blood flow and reducing muscle tightness.
During a suboccipital massage, a therapist applies gentle pressure to the base of the skull, targeting the tight muscles that may be contributing to the headache. The goal is to release the built-up tension in these muscles, relieving the associated pain. Regular suboccipital massage can help prevent the recurrence of these headaches by addressing tightness and imbalance in the neck region, by promoting better posture, and by encouraging relaxation. When combined with other treatments, such as physical therapy, stress management, and ergonomic adjustments, it can be an important part of a holistic approach to managing chronic headaches.
Personal Testimony
We wanted to share a quick success story from our executive administrative assistant, Leah-Kate, who had been battling headaches for nearly a month. Having not previously suffered from chronic headache pain, Leah-Kate was having a hard time pinpointing triggers, and was finding it difficult to manage discomfort day to day as the pain increased in duration and intensity. She was sleeping adequately, practicing stress management, and hydrating. Although Leah-Kate was not feeling particularly tight or tense in her neck/back, Neely suggested suboccipital massage. Neely used both manual techniques as well as a RAD roller massage tool (pictured below) to help release tension in the neck region. Within 24 hours, both frequency & intensity of the headaches had lessened. After 48 hours, Leah-Kate experienced a headache-free day, and (now) 72 hours without a headache occurrence!
Celebrating the Win
In this instance, discussing possible factors (ergonomics, lifestyle) and mapping the onset of the headache (first headache linked to an activity that had impacted posture – river tubing!) helped to inform possible treatment techniques. Without a doubt, reducing discomfort/pain improved Leah-Kate’s well-being almost immediately.
Check out this quick video demonstrating the usage of the RAD massage tool on the suboccipital area – a simple and effective tool that can continue to be utilized to support tension release.
Are you ready to take control of your health and well-being? At Omega Project Physical Therapy, we’re committed to providing you with top-tier, personalized care to help you recover, thrive, and return to the activities you love. Don’t let pain hold you back any longer. Reach out today!