Experienced by as much as 80% of the general population, tension headaches are a real obstacle that many people deal with on a daily basis. The pain of a tension headache is thought to be caused by muscle constriction that results in the reduction of blood flow. Tension headaches can be caused by stressful situations or they can be brought on by staying in one position for too long, but many times there is not an obvious trigger. The pain of a tension headache can range from mild to severe and generally affects the upper back, neck, and scalp and jaw areas. People often refer to the pain as a tight band around their head. Although many people seek relief through over-the-counter medications, there are other methods, like self-massage, that are being used to successfully to treat annoying tension headaches.Headache Relief through Simple Self-MassageMassage is the practice of applying pressure to soft body tissues in order to relieve muscle tension, manage pain and improve blood circulation. Massaging away a headache can be accomplished by targeting a few key pressure points on your head.Begin by getting in a comfortable position in a quiet space. Get relaxed by lying on a couch, bed or reclining in a chair. Since headaches can enhance sensitivity to light, dim the lights in the room as much as possible to encourage relaxation and eliminate distraction. Here are four key areas to focus on when tackling a tough tension headache.Massaging under the eye area. With eyes closed, position your middle fingers directly above your cheekbones. Massage this whole area using circular motion. Alternatively, a light sweeping motion under the eye can be used.Massaging above the eyes to nose area. Using your thumb, rub the area along the underside of eyebrows above the eye socket. Where this bone meets the bridge of your nose and eyes, there is a point with a small indentation. Using gentle pressure, gently push your thumbs into the points and hold for a few seconds. Repeat as necessary.Massaging the neck area. With your fingertips, locate the muscles at the back of the neck where they meet the base of your skull. Massage this entire area using all four fingers on both hands. Applying a comfortable amount of pressure, use back and forth motion or circular motion. Be sure to reach as far down your back as you can go for maximum relief.Massaging the scalp area. With fingers spread, begin at the forehead and massage toward the back of the scalp using circular motion. Apply enough pressure to make the scalp move. Alternatively, you can use gentle back and forth strokes on the scalp, similar to the motion you use when washing hair.After you have performed the massage exercises, lift your shoulders towards your ears and hold for five to ten seconds. Gently roll them backwards and let them come back to their natural position. Repeat if you feel it is necessary. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, but they are also the type that responds well to simple self-massage techniques.Copyright 2013 Dsaria International LLC All Rights Reserved.This article may be distributed freely on your website, in your ezines and in newsletters, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the author's information are included and unchanged.
