Even with the increasing popularity of massage therapy, few people are familiar with trigger point therapy. This technique was developed by Dr. Janet Travell in 1942, and although it is still not well accepted in the medical community, it has been effectively used in both chiropractic and massage practices.

The concept behind trigger points is that specific areas of hyper-irritability can be found in specific spots in the muscle tissue. Those irritated areas refer pain or generate a local twitch response. If the areas can be addressed successfully, they will no longer refer pain. Specific trigger points are associated with specific types of headaches.

Either a massage therapist or a chiropractor with knowledge of trigger points will be able to help you alleviate your tension-based headaches. Even better, they can show you things you can do on your own to help reduce the intensity and frequency of your headaches.

Common Trigger Points that Cause Tension Headaches -

” Trapezius muscles. The trapezius trigger point is found in just about the middle of the upper traps. This is the triangular muscle you see between your shoulder and your neck. This trigger point is associated with temple and eye pain.

Grasp the muscle with your opposing hand and kneed it until it begins to soften. Then, starting at the neck, slide through the muscle towards the shoulder several times. You should get some pretty immediate relief, but repeat the treatment throughout the day to prevent the muscle from re-tightening.

” Suboccipital muscles. Suboccipital trigger points occur directly below the skull at the highest point of the neck. These points generate that back of the head, crushed in a vice kind of feeling. Such trigger points are best treated with direct pressure. Get a small ball, such as a racquetball, and put it in a sock. Lie with the balls located just below your skull, putting pressure upon the muscles at the base of the head. Icing the area is helpful as well.

” Sternocleidomastoid muscles. Trigger points in the sternocleidomastoid, the large muscle you feel at the side of your neck that runs from your collar bone to behind your ear, cause pain in the side of your head, generally right above the ear. In addition to headaches, trigger points and tightness in these muscles can throw off your balance and cause jaw and eye pain. Gently grab the muscle between your thumb and fingers and kneed it. If you find a particularly painful spot, hold it firmly until it softens.

The Concept Behind the Treatment -

As you press upon a trigger point it may at first feel quite painful. If you continue to hold the point you will feel a decrease in pain and a softening of the tight spot. By temporarily depriving the contracted muscle fiber of blood you essentially “force” it to release, eliminating the trigger point. With the trigger point gone the pain it causes will disappear as well.

Trigger point therapy is a well accepted method for treating headaches and as it involves no drugs or complicated techniques, it is well worth trying if you suffer from regular tension headaches.

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