Headache Statistics

As many as 45 million Americans experience chronic headaches. For half of these people, the problem is severe and sometimes disabling. If treated correctly more than 85% of these headaches, will respond to treatment. But it can be very costly; headaches are among the most common pain complaint seen in primary care physician offices. Headache sufferers make over 8 million office visits to their doctors, and migraine victims lose over 150 million workdays because of their headache pain.

What is a headache?

It is the result of pain signals caused by the interactions between the brain, blood vessels and surrounding nerves. Activation of specific nerves in the head sends pain signals to the brain that are interpreted as a headache.Why these nerves are activated is not yet fully understood.

What we do know, is that the ends of these pain-sensitive nerves, called nociceptors, can be stimulated by stress, muscular tension, dilated blood vessels, and other triggers of headaches. Once stimulated, a nociceptor sends a message up the length of the nerve fiber to the nerve cells in the brain signaling that part of the body hurts. The message is determined by the location of the nociceptor. When a person who suddenly notices "my finger hurts," is responding to nociceptors in the hand that have been stimulated by getting struck by a hammer.

What are the different types of headaches

There are two different categories for headaches: Primary and Secondary. Primary headaches are an actual clinical condition and not a symptom of or caused by another disorder. Primary headaches include migraine headaches, tension or muscle contraction headaches, and cluster headaches. It is not uncommon for someone to experience a combination of these headaches.

In fact, some experts believe that all headaches are derived from the same mechanisms that cause migraine, and that they are simply variations on a single biological theme. Secondary headaches are caused by other medical conditions, such as allergies, brain tumors, dehydration, dental dysfunctions, emotional disturbances, head injuries, neck injuries or abnormalities, sinus diseases, and/or strokes.

Migraine Headaches

The word migraine is derived from the greek word "hemikrania," meaning, "half skull." A typical migraine attack produces throbbing pain on one side of the head, often accompanied by nausea, and sometimes vomiting; visual symptoms are common and facial tingling or numbness may occur. A migraine headache usually lasts from 4-72 hour if untreated. Pain sometimes spreads to affect the entire head and is worsened by physical activity. Extreme sensitivity to light and noise are also common, and clients may feel cold and look pale.

About 20% of migraine sufferers have pre headache sensory disturbances called auras. Migraine headaches with auras are termed classic migraines; migraines without auras are called common migraines. Migraine auras last between 15 and 45 minutes. A type of migraine known as an ocular migraine is painless and produces auras or other visual symptoms only. A family history of migraines will be found in one half of the sufferers.

Tension Headaches

90% of all headaches are classified as tension/muscle contraction headaches. Tension headaches are a type of muscle contraction headache and is named not only for the role of stress in the triggering of pain, but also for the contraction of the muscles in the face, neck, scalp, and shoulders brought on by the stress of any event. It is described as a tight feeling, as if someone was squeezing your head in a vise. Soreness in the shoulders or neck is common. Tension headaches are a severe but temporary form of muscle contraction headaches.

Tension headaches do not cause nausea or limit activities as migraine headaches do, although depression, anxiety, and sleeping difficulties may accompany persistent headaches. Tension headaches are usually not associated with noise or light sensitivity either.

Many scientist believe that the primary cause of the pain of muscle contraction headaches are from sustained muscle tension. Other studies suggest that restricted blood flow may be the cause or contribute to the pain.

This is why I believe that massage can be so beneficial to sufferers of this type of pain. Massage has been proven to release all types of muscle tension and increases blood flow. So it only makes sense that relief would come from massage... Hey: IT WORKS...

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are the most rare form of all headache types. They are intensely painful, occur suddenly and last between 30 - 45 minutes. Onset is slow and as a minor pain around one eye and eventually spread to that side of the face. They are named for their repeated occurences in groups of clusters.

Research has turned up several clues as to the cause of cluster headaches, but no answers. One clue is found in the thermograms of untreated sufferers, which shows a "cold spot" of reduced blood circulation above the eye. Since massage can improve blood flow, "we may be able to help here also."

Although massage is more effective if done by a Massage Therapist, here are some excellent massage techniques you can do for yourself.

Many types of headaches are helped by massaging the forehead and temples, by making small circles with your finger tips. Massaging the scalp is excellent for tension headaches. The back of the neck is another effective area for self massage. Care should be taken not to tense your shoulders or hands when applying this massage. Being aware of your breathing and concentration on breathing deeply and rhythmically during massage is also beneficial. But nobody does it better than a Licensed Massage Therapist. Try it, you just may like it!

Listed below are a few classic indications when you should seek immediate medical attention, but certainly not an all inclusive list!

THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE MEDICAL ADVICE OR A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE!

This is just our opinion and what we believe to be true from our limited experience.