Tension Headaches
Treatment Plans for Massage Therapists
Definition - Muscle contraction type
headache
Causes - Myofascial
triggerpoints, myofascial pain syndromes, facilitation, trauma, acute muscle
overload, postural imbalances (forward head posture), referred pain and
emotional stress, TMJD (temporal manibular joint dysfunction.)
Signs/Symptoms - Bilateral, diffuse and
constant, dull or vise- like. Location is often in the referral pattern of
the specific muscles. Chronic daily headache may have associated neck and
shoulder pain, tenderness and stiffness. If SCM is involved, may
experience nausea, vertigo and tinnitus.
Special Tests/Contraindications -
Differential diagnosis. Rule out other types of headaches that can be more
serious. No deep work or vigorous techniques that could create kick-back.
Treatment plan - Massage is best for tension
headache. Reduce sympathetic nervous system firing, reduce pain,
hypertonicity, triggerpoints and joint dysfunction. Increase Range of
Motion, Tissue health.
Pre-tx with heat to affected muscles
During tx - use diaphragmatic breathing
Prone or supine may not be tolerated well -
use sidelying.
Work Pectoral muscles and posterior neck.
Reduce
triggerpoints in upper trapezius, splenius capitis, splenius cervicis,
Occiptialis, Frontalis, Suboccipitals, SCM, Temporalis, traction
(see anatomy)
