Why TRIGGER POINTS might be causing your HEADACHES

Headaches are common health complaint with more than 10 million people in the UK experiencing regular headaches. During a headache, pain is caused by a disturbance of the pain sensitive structures such as muscles, nerves, arteries, veins, dura mater, eyes, ears, sinuses and mucous membranes.

According to The International Headache Society (HIS) there are three main categories which headaches fall under:

1. Primary Headaches

Benign recurring headaches which are not caused by any disease or underlying problem such as:

• Migraines

• Tension Headaches

• Cluster Headaches

(These are the most common types of headaches. 90-92% of all headaches are tension headaches and can be linked to changes in serotonin levels and mechanical stresses)

2. Secondary headaches

Caused mainly by an underlying pathology such as:

• Infection

• Head and/or neck trauma

• Cranial or cervical vascular disorder

• Non-vascular intracranial disorder

• Substances or substance withdrawal

• Homeostasis disorders

• Disorders of cranium, neck, eyes, ears, nose, sinuses, teeth, mouth or other facial or cranial structures

• Psychiatric disorders

3. Cranial neuralgias, central and primary facial pain and other headaches.

Causes of Headaches:

The causes of headaches are multi-faceted, with lifestyle factors being one of the main contributors. These include:

• Lack of exercise

• Lack of Sleep

• Stress

• Anxiety

• Postural Imbalances

• Disease

• Trigger Points in muscles

• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

• Dehydration

• Overuse of screens

The role of TRIGGER POINTS

Trigger Points refer to ‘knots’ or hyperirritable spots in a taut band of skeletal muscles which cause deep aching pain. Each muscle produces pain either locally and/or in a referred pain pattern. They are very common and can occur from injury or overuse of a muscle(s) and play a major role in pain experienced throughout the body.

Trigger points can play a contributory role in causing and exacerbating headache pain. For example, trigger points found in the Trapezius muscle have a referred pain pattern like a question mark around the side of the head. In addition, the Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) is a big contributor to headache and migraine pain, with a pain pattern that is orbital around the eye and can refer into the jaw.

Trigger points can also be found in other muscles such as the Sub occipitals Splenius Capitas and Cervicis. These muscles also have referred pain patterns into the head and neck, which can cause headache pain.

Trigger points can be worked over by any trained clinical therapist. With client communication and a therapist’s intuition and advanced knowledge of anatomy, they can identify where these Trigger Points lie and release them, accordingly, offering relief to the client.

The Jing Method

Chronic headaches respond well to The Jing Method of Advanced Clinical Massage. During the first session you will receive a thorough assessment which will help us to understand the source of your pain and the muscles involved. Each treatment plan is unique to the individual, and is designed to decrease pain, and increase mobility, and joint range of motion. Most clients with chronic recurring headaches will benefit from an initially 1-6 weekly treatments, aimed at reducing pain. This can be followed by an ongoing maintenance schedule to prevent reoccurring symptoms.

Are you experiencing HEADACHES or MIGRAINES, please do get in touch to discuss how CLINICAL MASSAGE can benefit you.