When seeking out a therapist be sure to provide as much information as possible about your headaches so your massage therapist can develop a protocol that can address your unique and specific needs. Typically there are two different types of headaches that can be treated through massage: 

• Tension
  Tension headaches are caused by muscle spasms, neck alignment, stress, hormonal and chemical changes, dehydration, and anxiety. Oftentimes, these types of headaches begin with a feeling of tightness in the head and move into pain in the head, neck, shoulders, and arms. Extreme pain and sensitivity can be felt around the temples and behind the eyes. Tension headaches do not usually include sensitivity to light, sound, or produce nausea. 

• Migraine 
  Migraine headaches are believed to be caused by a variety of afflictions from             neurological or vascular problems, environmental irritants, food sensitivities,             chemical and hormonal changes, neck alignment, or blood sugar regulation.             Migraines tend to be severe and are accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound             and can produce nausea or vomiting. 

Massage can be very helpful to effectively treat headaches by: 

• Promoting blood circulation to relieve pain
• Relieving muscle spasms and tension by addressing chronically tight muscles
• Regulating hormones to decrease stress and boost endorphins to promote                          relaxation and improve quality of sleep 

Massage treatments are a safe and non-pharmacological way to treat headaches. Call your local massage center today to speak to a professional and get on the road to erasing your headaches so you can live your life! 

Source Material:

1. http://www.livestrong.com/article/186495-importance-of-human-touch/

2. http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/massage-therapy-stress-relief-much-more