Everyone has experienced a headache at some point or the other. Tension headaches, in particular, affect 60-80% of the population. They are usually experienced as a dull ache or pain which feels like a band around the head. They are caused by stress, poor posture, eye strain, poor sleep, and muscular tension—things which we all experience in daily life. Unlike migraines, they are not accompanied by nausea or vomiting. Nor do you experience any sensitivity to light when you get a tension headache. So what do you do when you get a tension headache? For most people, the first line of defense is to take an over-the-counter pain medication which can give you relief in fifteen minutes or so. However, if you're constantly getting tension headaches, it's not a good idea to keep taking pain medication on a regular basis, as this can have many unwanted side effects, like ulcers. Pain medication can also affect your kidneys and your liver in the long run. Massage Therapy for Tension Headaches Fortunately, there are many natural ways of reducing the frequency of tension headaches and giving you immediate relief. Managing your stress, exercising regularly, acupuncture and massage therapy can all be helpful when it comes to reducing tension headaches. In fact, scientific studies show that massage therapy consistently helps in reducing pain levels among hospital patients, from the self-scored 5.18 to a self-scored 2.33. If you do a search for "massage near me," you'll see that there are many ways in which massage therapy can help with tension headaches: Reduces Headache Frequency and Intensity Studies show that massage therapy can help people with tension headaches significantly. In one study, people with tension headaches were given two massages every week, and it was found that the number of tension headaches reduced from 6.8 to 2.0! That is a significant reduction in the frequency of headaches. Additionally, it was also found that the duration of the headache reduced by half! Reduces Muscle Tension and Pain Tension headaches are usually associated with the buildup of tension in the shoulders, neck and upper back. Massage therapy leads to a reduction in tension which in turn reduces pain. Deep tissue massage, which targets the deeper layers in muscles and tissues, can also be helpful in releasing the muscular tension which leads into tension headaches. Breaks Up Myofascial Trigger PointsAt times, tension headaches are caused by the activation of myofascial trigger points. These are small knots or "nodules" in the muscle which have become hyperirritable, meaning that pressing these trigger points can lead into pain and twitching. Studies show that myofascial trigger points are often involved in the development of tension headaches. Massage therapy can help in breaking up these trigger points with sustained pressure. This reduces tension, promotes relaxation and helps with tension headaches. Improves Blood Circulation If you do a search for "massage near me," you'll find that massage therapy results in the better flow of blood to your muscles, your organs and your entire body. This means that you'll get more oxygen and nutrients delivered to your muscles after a massage. And this can help in reducing pain and improving overall health. Reduces Stress Stress is one of the main reasons why people get tension headaches. The more stressed you are, the more tense your muscles become, and this can in turn lead into a tension headache. Plus, it's likely that your stress is caused by work i.e. sitting for long periods of time in a chair. This can also lead into stiffness and tension in the muscles which contributes to your headache. Massage helps to reduce this muscular tension. It also reduces the production of stress hormones and increases the production of feel-good hormones, such as endorphins. This can help a lot in reducing the incidence of tension headaches. Improves Sleep Sleep deprivation or disturbed sleep can both lead into tension headaches. Fortunately, massage in therapy can help people with insomnia to fall asleep and to get a good night's rest, both of which can help in the prevention of tension headaches. Reduces Anxiety Sometimes, tension headaches are caused by what people refer to as "overthinking," which is nothing but anxiety. Everyone has sources of anxiety in their lives, but there are times when this anxiety might become overpowering and debilitating, leading into tension headaches. Fortunately, massage therapy helps to relax your body and your mind. It can reduce anxiety and the tension headaches which result from it. The end result is that you'll find yourself thinking more clearly and feeling a lot better after a massage. Choosing the Right Massage for You At The Wellness Hub, we offer various types of massage that can help you to relax, de-stress and break up the trigger points which are leading into your tension headaches. Not only will massage therapy help you to decrease the frequency of your tension headaches, but it will also help you to reduce the duration of those headaches. And that's in addition to all the other advantages of massage, such as better sleep, better blood circulation and better health overall. Contact us in Jacksonville, Florida to start your journey today to feeling better. ---- We are pleased to serve the following Florida communities with massage therapy, chiropractic, organic skincare, acupuncture, red light therapy and more: Jacksonville, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Mandarin, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St Johns, Ponte Vedra and beyond. Call Us (904) 512-7551
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AuthorThe Wellness Hub Center for Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Organic Skincare and Holistic Health in Jacksonville, Florida. A place for wellness, healing and renewal. Categories
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June 2025
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