Table of Contents
Introduction
Trigger point headaches can become chronic. What exactly are trigger points? Trigger points are taut bands in a muscle(knots) that refer to other areas of the body in usually predictable patterns.
Often times individuals that suffer from trigger points find that medications are minimally helpful. They would indicate to me that they have been suffering from these headaches for awhile. They can say they have had them for weeks. Many have stated that they have suffered for months. It just seems to “stay,” regardless of what they do.
What causes Trigger Points?
There are many theories as to how trigger point headaches are caused. Some of the reasons include nutritional deficiencies, dehydration and trauma. Specifically for headaches, bad posture such as sitting at work with a head forward position can contribute. A previous injury to the neck, shoulder, or head can cause the body to compensate for any weaknesses. This compensation can lead to muscles overworking, causing these taut bands.
What are some common muscle’s that cause trigger point headaches?
These are some common muscles that can cause trigger point headaches.
1. Upper Trapezius-The pain referral pattern of this muscle forms a backward question mark. It appears on the side of the head. This is probably the most common headache referring trigger point.
What can cause Upper Trapezius to have trigger points? Upper Trapezius can become triggered if one maintains a prolonged shoulder elevated position as in shrugging ones shoulders. An example of a daily activity that causes this is when someone uses a mouse. They lift their shoulders up towards their ear on the arm using the mouse. This activates Upper Trapezius and if done long enough can cause trigger points.
This is a picture indicating the location of the Upper Trapezius trigger point.
2. Suboccipitals: This is a group of small muscles that stabilize and move the head on the neck. They are located at the base of the skull. You may have poked into these muscles if ever you have had headaches around the back of the head. The referral pattern goes to one side of the head and the pain is concentrated just above the ear.
These muscles can become triggered if a person tends to jut their head forward. A good example is someone who leans forward to view their computer monitors for a prolonged period. It may start off as local tightness in the base of the skull. Before you know it, a headache develops on the side of the head. It seems concentrated just above the ear.
Suboccipitals Trigger point referral.
3. Temporalis- As the name implies, this muscle is located around the temple area. The temple area is a common area for headaches. Temporalis functions to move the jaw as per chewing food. This muscle can become triggered if an individual has a tendency to grind their teeth at night. This muscle can refer pain into the temples, lower and upper jaw and above the eyes.
Temporalis trigger points. From: “American Academy of Manual Medicine”
These are common muscles and their referral areas for trigger point headaches. There are other ones but these are the ones that I mostly see from a clinical stand point. You can have multiple muscles being triggered. Alternatively, multiple trigger points in one particular muscle can increase the pain effect.
What are some ways to prevent trigger points?
Here are some important tips to keep trigger point headaches at bay.
- Maintain good standing and sitting posture(sitting upright but relaxed, shoulders down and back, ears in line with tips of shoulders, looking straight ahead)
- Drink lots of water
- Stretch at least once every hour if you have a sit-down job
- Make a balanced exercise routine a priority including; flexibility, strength and cardiovascular fitness
- Do relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation to relieve trigger point headaches
- Enjoy life, friends and family
- Of course get regular preventative massage treatments
How can Massage Therapy/Cranial Therapy help? A Theoretical Framework
Trigger points are knotted muscle fibers. They are in an inappropriate shortened state. Massage has techniques that will help stretch and “flatten out” these particular muscles. Massage will also help relax the muscles to help decrease tightness. Sometimes there is lactic acid in an area and potential inflammatory chemicals. Massage will help, in theory flush out these painful substances.
Cranial Therapy is a powerful system to assist in helping the whole body to relax. Cranial Therapy can also soften tissues in the skull and neck that can be contributing to the headaches. If the headaches stem from issues with the lack of movement of the skull bones, Cranial therapy will help. It will regulate the proper rhythmic motion of the bones. Click on this link for more info Cranial Therapy.
Yes, the framework for this therapy is controversial but regardless of framework, it has helped many people with chronic conditions.
Do you think you are suffering from trigger point headaches? Contact us and we can discuss your case.
More Resources:
1. American Academy of Manual Medicine-for more information regarding trigger point headaches.
Did you know that trigger points can also be caused by tight fascia? Watch our video now to learn more.
