March/April 2002 Alternative Health
Headaches

by Todd Pennington

Headaches are a problem for many of us, and there are many causes. Frequently, they are due to muscle tightness in the head and neck. This tightness can be released and, in many cases, the results can be more than temporary. Some clients have experienced as much as several years (and counting) of improvement.

 Headaches are defined as diffuse or specific pain in portions of the head, which may be acute or chronic. They are frequently classified as tension, cluster, migraine, and histamine-related. Almost all headaches are of little major concern, except to the person who has them. In a few cases they can be a signal of major medical problems, if all other concerns are controlled or they feel really unusual, consult a doctor. This is a general caution, as most headaches are not a symptom of other medical conditions.

Most headaches are caused by muscle tightness, toxin build up, or bones being out of place and can be aggravated by normal life tension. The occasional headache is easy to take care of by use of pain pills or just letting the headache go away with time.

 Toxin build up is most likely due to physical exercise, a change in diet, various chemicals, etc. A good way to relieve the pain is to drink more water. A general rule: if you have a headache, drink a quart of water. In many cases the headache can be from dehydration. Dehydration can cause other problems as well. Many sources say to drink at least two quarts of water a day and some say to drink more than that. The average person in our culture does not drink enough water. Some types of pop and coffee work as diuretics and may take out more fluid than they replace.

 Another possible cause of headaches is that the electrolytes in the blood may be off balance. Electrolytes are various salts and minerals. Long term correction should be done by changes in the diet. If the problems persist, especially long term excessive water gain, consult a doctor.

 Each of us has as some time fallen or hit our head in some way, or had a sudden motion of the head and neck. One possible result of this is that the cranial bones (those bones in the head that protect the brain) can shift. In some cases this may be only a small amount, in others it may be more. Some doctors say that these bones do not move. I have found that they can move and frequently do when there is a sudden force on the body. Once moved they tend to hold the new position. In the mirror check to see if your ears are at the same level and see if they are the same distance back from the front. Many people spend a lot of money and time on treatments that could be replaced with gently coaxing the head bones to relax them back to their normal position. When the head bones are out of place, they can force the spine to be out of position and may cause problems for the rest of the body.

 Everyone has tension in his/her life; in many people this results in tight muscles. Feel the back of your neck ; it should be loose and pliable at the top. If it is painful or tight it can easily be the cause of head pain and problems for the rest of the body. The scalp can tighten and try to compress the head. Muscles can exert continual pressure of up to 2,000 pounds per square inch. This is like a hammer hitting a nail. It can also be compared to pressing onto the sensor with the weight of a car. Control Muscle Release Therapy can find ways to relax the muscles and reduce the pain sensation and improve mobility.

 Migraines are a signal that the body is way off normal. It is one way that the body has to get our attention and say NO to something that is going on. The trouble is trying to find the trigger and a way to take care of it. Migraines can be helped; it takes finding the cause and making the changes to correct it. In many cases, specific massage such as Control Muscle Release Therapy is needed to find what needs to change and to make the change. Each form of medicine has part of the answer; in many cases not enough variables have been considered to find some of the answers.

 Even if you have been told that nothing can ever be done, there can be hope of change if the problem is due to muscle tightness. Frequently this improvement can last for many years. To have long term results, the entire system must be relaxed and not just a part of it.

 Control Muscle Release Therapy looks at the muscles that control bone and muscles at a distance. The goal is to release the structure easily and gently. The easiest way to release the whole body is to relax the key regions of the body. I work on all the issues that I have talked about.

For more information or an appointment call Todd Pennington, LMT, 10175 SW Barbur. Suite 306 Portland OR 97219. (503) 244-4427. For more articles see www.penningtonmassage.com.