Tension headaches and how Massage Therapy can help

Tension headaches are the result of the muscles and fascia in the upper back become so tense that they transfer that tension into the connective tissue over the head and forehead, resulting in a headache. 

The pain associated with a tension headache often occurs in the forehead, at the base of the skull, and around the eyebrows.  Sometimes you might also experience a sharp stabbing pain that comes from behind the eyes. 

What Causes Tension Headaches?

By far the most common cause of tension headaches is poor posture. Given that many of us work at a computer all day, a static hunched posture, in which we hold our bodies in any one position for an extended period of time, is part of our work lives.

Hunching rounds the shoulders, which causes a muscular imbalance that creates tension in the fascia found in the upper back. 

What Is a Fascia?

A fascia is a band or sheet of connective tissue, primarily collagen, beneath the skin that attaches, stabilizes, encloses, and separates muscles and other internal organs.

Like ligaments, aponeuroses, and tendons, fascia is made up of fibrous connective tissue containing closely packed bundles of collagen fibers oriented in a wavy pattern parallel to the direction of pull.

Fasciae are similar to ligaments and tendons as they have collagen as their major component. They differ in their location and function: ligaments join one bone to another bone, tendons join muscle to bone, and fasciae surround muscles and other structures.

A constant static posture can lead to the fascia sticking to the muscle layer underneath in what is called an adhesion. These adhesions restrict muscle movement, causing tension and pain.

How Can Massage Therapy Help?

Sports Massage is one of the best treatments for fascia adhesions and therefore tension headaches. Sports massage helps to break down adhesions, relax muscles, and reduce tension.

If you don’t have access to a qualified massage therapist, then you can use self-myofascial release techniques using foam rollers, massage balls, and massage guns. 

Join One Of The Best Massage Therapy Schools In Las Vegas Today!

At Northwest Career College, we operate one of the best Massage Therapy Schools in Las Vegas, and our Massage Therapy Course will teach you the skills you’ll need to apply the benefits of sports massage. 

The benefits of massage therapy are widely recognized, with employment for massage therapists expected to increase by 22% between 2014-2024, with an average massage therapist earning $39,360 a year. Additionally, many massage therapists maintain active, private practices, increasing both their flexibility and earnings. 

Our massage student clinic is open seven days a week, for both your and your client’s convenience, and we offer day and night classes to accommodate your work and family schedules. 

Our instructors are experienced professionals who will prepare you to sit for either the NCBTMB (National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage) or the MBLEX (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards) exams, and we are proud of our 100% board pass rate. Call us at (702) 403-1592 to speak to one of our enrollment specialists today!