How Fascia May Be the Hidden Cause of Your Migraines and Headaches
LINGERING HEADACHES? IT MIGHT NOT BE IN YOUR HEAD…
It is a common conception that migraines and headaches are brain problems and have some neurological root. But what if the root is physical, and is actually muscular? And what if the root isn't the brain at all?
Not many people would think a massage can help with chronic migraine and headache pain, which shows in the 50% of people suffering from migraines that feel extremely dissatisfied with their current ability to control their condition, as surveyed by the National Headache Foundation.
This is the truth: tight and restricted fascia can contribute to headaches and migraines, it was never something wrong with your brain, which is why so many people go to neurologists and can’t find adequate relief.
WHAT IS FASCIA, AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Fascia is the connective tissue between every muscle, bone and organ in the body. When healthy, the fascia allows adequate motion and for everything to move smoothly. But, when fascia becomes tight and inflamed, often due to injuries, poor posture, or repetitive daily motions, it can pull on structures within the body and create tension throughout the body.
HOW FASCIA DYSFUNCTION TRIGGERS HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES
Think of typing at your desk, for example. This repetitive motion can travel up through the fascia in your fingers, to your forearms, through your biceps and triceps, wrap around to your upper back and shoulders, up to your neck and base of the skull, around to your jaw and finally, to your head where the pain erupts. Get the picture?
Everything is interconnected.
The tension builds up over time, until your body loudly lets you know with a pounding headache or migraine. Tight fascia can play tug of war on your nerves, restrict blood flow and pull on the fascial layer around the brain that causes migraines, leading to lower quality of life.
TOP SIGNS OF FASCIA DYSFUNCTION
TIghtness in your shoulders, neck or upper back
You clench your jaw or grind your teeth (TMJ issues)
Headaches/Migraines are worse after screen time or after a bad night of sleep
Stretching and Foam Rolling help temporarily, the pain always comes back
You’ve experienced whiplash, concussions, or neck injuries in the past
HOW MYOFASCIAL THERAPY HELPS
The solution is Myofascial release and trigger point therapy. This work helps to relieve tension around the skull, reduce the compression on the nerves, improve posture and blood flow, and restores balance throughout the fascia chain that runs up to the head and can calm the nervous system. This means:
Fewer or no headaches days per month
Decreased reliance on medication
Improved Range of Motion
Improved sleep and quality of life
Clients often feel lighter, clearer, and more at ease, sometimes after just one session.
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEADACHES
You don’t have to live in fear of your next unexpected headache and migraine. If this message aligns with you, it is time to explore what Pinnacle Therapeutics Massage can do for you. Click here to book a session and start your journey to migraine free relief.
