Migraine Headaches.

>.<

Types of Headaches

There are many different kinds of headaches, each one with distinct characteristics. The first thing to note is where and how it seems to start: Behind your eyes as a dull ache? At the back of your head with sharp shooting pains? Is it a pressure at the top of your head that spreads across the forehead? Is it in the temples shooting pain into the center of your brain?  These are examples of how you can best describe the headache, and being able to do that is the first line of determining where in the soft tissue your issue may be.

In this article, many symptoms of Migraine headaches will be addressed; common headaches can come from many sources, some of them from dietary habits (such as caffeine headaches), some from soft tissue congestion, others stem from mental or emotional strain. Here, we will only address the ones that originate from soft tissue damage, predominately those in the form of trigger points and tension.

Keep in mind that should the migraine or headache stem from another source, such as an injury or illness, the fact that you get the migraine will undoubtedly cause trigger points to form, compounding the problem further; addressing these triggers along with your prescribed treatment will help to reduce all sources and symptoms.  This may be why medication alone seems to help a little, but the pain remains due to trigger points present within the soft tissue.

Next you will want to share information with your health practitioner on the duration, progression levels, and any sensitivity that may result.  Do you hide in a dark room because light intensifies the pain? Do sounds pound into your head through your ears?  Note any dizziness, nausea, vertigo, spots before your eyes, and any other symptoms whether you think it’s related or not, include them all when describing it to health care providers.

A continuing problem with migraine/headache pain is in the diagnosis. Tests upon tests are done, only to find nothing wrong, or the source cannot be determined. Common (and very frustrating) troubles you may have are the endless numbers of tests, prescriptions that can be expensive (and most often incapacitating) and doctors that just don’t seem to find the problem.

All the “pain killers” only mask the fact that you have a headache or migraine; it’s still there, just under stealth mode while you continue throughout the day, and can actually add to the problem. By not allowing you to know you are in pain, activities (that would have been otherwise restricted while suffering from pain) cause further irritations and damage, making the problem harder to correct. This is the point when your pain medication no longer seems to help.

What are you like when you do not have a headache?

Oftentimes we are aware of, and only describe what it’s like when we are ill, overlooking many things when we are well.

°When you walk, do you seem to bump into walls or doorways (even just a little bit)?

°Can you walk a straight line when not trying to, or do you normally veer left -right, or trip over your own feet?

°Do you find small, or even large, bruises on your arms, legs, or ribs and cannot seem to recall how you got them?

°How often do you misjudge distance when reaching or grabbing for things, knocking things over with an elbow?

°Do things drop from your hands more often some days?

All of these are part of your symptoms and play a major role in determining just what is going on and where.  When symptoms are extreme, it would be a good idea to keep a journal about things like this, noting the date, and if/when during these moments of “clumsiness” you begin to experience your headaches.

Muscles that contribute to Migraine Symptoms

Beginning with the Sternocleidomastoid (SCM), the big cord that sticks out from the neck on either side, the most identifiable visually, and the source of a great many headache pains and related symptoms.  Trigger points here cause pain around the top portion of the eye socket, top of the head, back of the head, in front of the ear, even under the jaw line and chin. Dizziness lasting a few moments to a few days is often given a diagnosis of Vertigo* or Ménière’s* disease.  SCM, having two branches attaching to the clavicle, joining into one to insert just behind the ear, operate as a spatial orientation mechanism, keeping an eye on the position/balance of your head (much like the inner ear of a cat helps it track the location/relation of its body to its head).  Trigger points here are also a source of dim or blurred vision, double vision, excessive tearing, eye spasm (that annoying ‘eye twitch’), drooping eyelid (can be mistaken for thyroid issues). Some symptoms that may seem unrelated are runny nose, sinus pain and congestion, hay fever symptoms, chronic cough (from excessive phlegm), which we usually self treat with over-the-counter allergy medicines, never realizing all this is caused by a trigger point in the SCM!

Next, the Temporalis, one of the scalp muscles located on the side of your head, and can be felt easily while chewing. Triggers in this muscle contribute to the head pain along the sides, around the eyebrow, and in the upper lip/jaw area. Trigger points can form from excessive gum chewing, clenching the teeth, a sudden jarring or knock to the jaw, chronic ice crunching, and even can be present in children who suck their thumbs or pacifiers.

Frontalis is a large flat muscle that covers the top, front, and referred to as Occipitalis towards the back of the head (the one that wiggles your ears).  This muscle contributes to pain within the areas of its location, mostly the forehead from Frontalis, and along the sides and back for Occipitalis.  You can feel this muscle when your hair stylist is shampooing your hair, and is usually quite tender when trigger points are present.  Sustained facial expressions such as an interested look, holding a smile in social situations, or frowning excessively can contribute to overuse in these muscles.

Triggers in the Upper Trapezius send pain to your eye, temples, and the curve of your jaw. Overworking this muscle can cause dizziness, vomiting, headache, pain behind the eye, pain in the back of the head (high in the neck) and can also refer down the side of the spine between the shoulder blades. Shrugging your shoulders, lifting heavy objects over your head, hunching or leaning forward can cause the triggers and discomfort in this muscle. Many people relate this to feeling like “their shoulders are in their ears” and admit this is an area where they will carry their tension and stress.

Zygomaticus is one of the cheek muscles, and triggers in this muscle causes pain below the eye, in the face, over the nose, and sometimes all the way up to the middle of your forehead.  These also contribute to allergy-like symptoms such as runny nose and itchy eyes. Squinting your eyes, frowning, or constantly making the “I smell something bad” expression can overwork these muscles.

Splenius Capitus are broad muscles (like safety straps) which connect the neck vertebrae to the back of the skull. Triggers in this one can send pain to the top (crown) of your head.  This muscle is a major contributor to turning your head, and can be affected with triggers simply by sleeping on the wrong pillow, or at an odd angle, or a sudden jolt such as a roller coaster, car crash, or a surprised jerk of the head.

Semispinalis Capitus muscles connect the vertebrae of the upper back (between the shoulder blades) and the lower neck to the back of the head. You can feel these pulling when you tuck your chin to your chest, acting as a support system that pulls your head back up. Triggers here send pain in the shape of a headband that wraps around your head just above your ears.  Along with the sub-occipitals it can contribute to the pounding/expanding feeling of pain during headaches and migraines.  Constantly looking down (like at a keyboard or computer screen below your line of sight), continuous bending over and/or hunching can overwork these muscles as they try to balance your head and bring it upright (like a counter-weight).

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger points in the above muscles are major factors to consider when treating migraine headaches and should be addressed by your health care practitioner. Massage Therapists have been working with these soft tissue issues for hundreds of years, and is by far the least invasive and an effective treatment method available.  Even when the source of a migraine is outside of the soft tissue, trigger points will undoubtedly form due to the pain and stress of experiencing the migraine, making massage/trigger point therapy an important avenue to pursue in your path to healing.

Next Issue: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

You are your own best guide, and can tell if it hurts wrong or hurts right. If you are undergoing any chiropractic care, discuss this with them before beginning, show them the video, too. There are dozens upon dozens of miniscule muscles within the cervial column all controling finite movement of the head, neck and shoulders. Sufferers of Migraines, tension or stress headaches, vertigo, jaw pain (TMJ) are just a few who can benefit from doing self massage for the throat.

Techniques applied by a therapist are quite different, as we must beware of the vascular and nervous systems while working the area. You, however, can feel your way in, safely and slowly, until you are completely comfortable doing this. Seek the guidance of your personal massage therapist to enhance the results.

Take Care of Your Self, Always…
Massage Solutions LV

Light bulb diffusers-These are rings that go around a light bulb and the heat disperses the oil into the room.  A subtle and sneaky approach to scenting a child’s room.  Any parent can attest to the “kid smell” in their rooms, no matter how often the sheets are washed!

The Stuffed Animal Spray- Use the Pillow Sprays found in the Bath and Body Works style shops, or any health and wellness shop.  At night, spray this on the pillows, sheets, and even the favorite stuffed animal they hug in the night.  Made with an evaporating alcohol base, these will usually disperse by morning, and won’t leave a “residue” stench on the sheets or toys.  My kids love to spray this themselves, and I give them a “sleep” mixture of lavendar and vanilla, or the “stress relief” of eucalyptus and spearmint.

Remember the Clothes- Dressers and closets are full of clothes that can be scented by sprays or even incense.  Light a stick of incense and place in in the closed closet, allowing the smoke to penetrate the clothing inside.  Of course, use a burner and keep it clear to prevent fire! My favorite to use is Nag Champa in my closet.   The old fashion “potpourri” packs that lay inside drawers still work!  Make your own with a cheescloth tied closed, and change often. 

Hope this sends you on your way to some fresh ideas!  My kids have reacted beautifully to this, and introduces them to the world of scent, and how it can effect the human disposition!

Namaste from Massage Solutions LV!

The last thing anyone wants is to be “laid up” for an extended period of time, or to experience any type of lingering after effects from surgery.   Massage benefits by restoring muscle elasticity where pain has locked it up tight, keeping toxins to a minimum, releasing the Trigger Points, preventing the formation of excessive scarring, and helping to reduce the overall pain levels of the sufferer.

As an example of the differences, imagine a partially dry piece of Playdough, then cut through it with a knife.  Edges crumble apart, right?  How well will a fresh piece of Playdough be cut?  It will stay together, and can easily be reformed again without any telltale signs of having been torn apart, after some kneading of course!  (I have kids, so Playdough is my example!)

The tissues of the body react in a similar manner.  A hardened muscle full of waste products from constant contraction will have a difficult time reforming afterwards from fibers that were “frayed” and “crumbled” when cut.  The only way for them to re-attatch is to form extra scar tissue to fill in the gaps. Scar tissue is hard, tough, usually asthetically undesirable, and difficult to re-shape. 

First is a warm-up, generally Swedish techniques, and pressure is kept about medium.

Next is some neck-release work, front and back.  Neck trouble can cause masses of Trigger Points within the deepest neck muscles.  The most troublesome are the Scalenes, Levators, Upper Traps, Sternocleidomastoid, Platysma, and many more miniscule muscles you probably never realized were there. Myofascial stripping means that the muscle (myo) is separated from the fascia, and done because the continuous tension produced by the experience of pain caused toxin build-up and formation of scar tissue (extra fascia) which causes the rigidity (stiff neck), resulting in loss of motion.

The last bit incorporates Swedish with some stretching and effleurage to empty out the toxins that have been released from the fibers.

Though far from exciting, this video will give you an idea of what is needed to help with pre-surgery.  I encourage anyone who is looking at a undergoing surgery of any kind to seek a qualified therapist to help you prepare.  

Keep in mind that what you see in this video is a painful experience for the recipient, yet the end result is less pain, more flexibility, enhanced sleep, fewer instances of vertigo, reduction of fatigue, less cramping, and will reduce recovery time for the patient post surgery, a plus for everyone.

Thank You and Namaste!

Massage Solutions Las Vegas 

An experienced Reflexologist, Sports Therapist, or deep tissue therapist can and will work these pains out.  Be aware, thought that foot pain is among the highest levels to endure.  I would say worse than giving birth!  Yes, and I have three kids, so I know!

There are many tools out there, promoted as self help “reflexology” tools, and though they feel pretty cool,  I have found nothing is better than a “knobber” you can use to really dig in.  hand held or placed on the floor, these handy items can be found in a Back Care Store (click to see the pic),  massage supply, Body Shop, Bath and Body Works, or any other store that caters to spa and beauty. Stand on these, rotate, press in and strip out the feet!!!

Never confuse pain on the bottom as different from pain in the top.  In fact, you may not even realize the tops hurt!  The pain is THROUGH the feet, as the muscles and facia that are in need of attention exist between the tarsals, and the pain that radiates seems to come from one side or the other, but is really connected through.

Practice with this handy tool, which fits inside your backpacks and purses to use almost anywhere you can remove your shoes. Cost should be about $6 to $10.  Optimal goal is to be able to literally stand on it without pain.  Use it on your hands as well for repetitive motion injuries, or even to help prevent them.

Want to go further?  Print out a picture of the muscles of the hands and feet and look at it while you work.  Nothing better than a picture to guide you!

Of all the things we ask of our feet, lets repay them with a bit of pampering, and they will keep us moving for years to come!

Namaste! 

While keeping a respectful distance when describing the “transformation” Wikipedia states:

 ”As Tantra has become more popular in the West it has undergone a major transformation, which has made Modern Tantra, or the New Age interpretations of Tantra, more properly called Neotantra, different from the original Tantric traditions of India. For many modern readers, “Tantra” has become a synonym for “spiritual sex” or “sacred sexuality”, a belief that sex in itself ought to be recognized as a sacred act which is capable of elevating its participants to a more sublime spiritual plane[Urban (2003), pp. 204-205]

Though Neotantra may adopt many of the concepts and terminology of Indian Tantra, it often omits one or more of the following;

the traditional reliance on guruparampara (the guidance of a guru),extensive meditative practice, and traditional rules of conduct – both moral and ritualistic.”

Tantra is a religious choice, just like anything else.  Many different philosophies exist utilizing the mystical experiences of “sexual” energies and attractions.  Tao being one that also encourages the meditation upon, and controling of sexual energy, moving it consciously through the body’s meridians and chakras;a vessel for achieving the state of “higher” consciousness.  Modalities such as these have undergone abuses from those seeking to take advantage of the marketing ploy “sex sells.”

Of course, the purpose of any religion, sect, cult, perception, belief, or bible out there is to introduce an idea, and if that idea appeals to you and improves upon your sense of existence and purpose, then by all means, adapt it into your life!  No law says we have to take it all or nothing! 

Personally, I believe Tantric or Tao Sex has a wonderful place within a persons life, and should be looked at and experimented with.  Though the emphasis is on couples sharing this together, it can also be adapted for the single seeker.  It is the idea that matters.  Seek a qualified guru to instruct and guide you in your journey.

For those who deceive for purposes of commerce…shame on you.   

 A Message from Massage Solutions Las Vegas

Of course you can go to a spa or studio, but this is a 25 hour town, and what happens when you finish work at 9? Good luck getting in those doors!  Local “craig’s” listings? In the words of Lucy, “Good Grief!”  Honestly, as a therapist, I still don’t know what “full body services” could (eh hem) possibly mean.

So what do you do?

You can try Us or continue your search with the following help:

Look for the NON SEXUAL tagline in ads.  This narrows things down, A LOT. 

Look for the license number. 

****The NVMT # is only the State level, and only means “someone” there has a State license to practice. This by no means implies they have a business license. Therapist must be licensed through the city, with a health card as well, and independents through County, too.  You can check this by entering the # on the City and or County license searches.

Ask if the therapist has a table!  This is one good key to find out if it’s the real thing. 

Unfortunately, Tantrahas been just as widely abused as the massage tagline! There is only ONE true priestess of tantra that we know of in the United States, and she explicity states that anyone seeking the “other kind” do NOT contact Her! 

Pictures say a thousand words!  Most practitioners use massage related images, and rarely use their own image in advertising.  If it looks suggestive, it is.

Good Luck on your searching!

Namaste! 

   Some consider a swedish massage to be a period of meditation, in which they choose to focus only on the sensations of the massage, listening to music, calm the erratic workings of mind. All day we are subjected to stimulii, continuously organizing, multi-tasking, planning our day, rarely taking a moment to breathe the life back into ourselves.  As we lay our heads to rest, our minds still go the same hectic pace seeming beyond our control.  Lets look at what we can do about this… 

Set your environment for health! Low light/candlelight reduces stimulation when the eyes open, soft music or white noise(as from a fan) keeps auditory senses calm and rythmic, gives the ears something to focus on in liu of chaotic thoughts rushing through. Most massage therapy includes soft music playing in the room, guitar, flute, piano, etc.

Get comfortable…

Lie down, placing a bolster under the knees reduces pressure on low back and sacrum.   Elevating the legs at a 45deg. angle above the heart with a pillow increases circulation, mainly to clear toxins gathered around the ankles, knees, and feet (and are the some culprits for vericose/spider veins, edema [swelling] of the lower extremities), tingling, achiness, and overall feeling of fatique.

Time to intonate a couple of minutes…Optional, yet greatly increases effect of the relaxation sequence.

Lay your hands at your sides and breathe.  Using controlled slow, deep breath, exhale, allow your vocal chords to resonate, any vowel sound or pitch you wish.  The idea is to feel the vibration of your voice to spread across the chest, into the pelvis and up into the head. Play with your voice!  Sounds funny, but who cares? You have only you to take care of! Finish when you “feel” done.

Slow your breathing, think only of breathing, breath filling your belly, notice the feeling the vibration of your voice has left in your head, then begin the ten point relaxation sequence.  Counting silently:

1. Relax your jaw, allowing the mouth to open, let go…

2. Relax your cheeks, let them feel heavy, let go…

3. Relax your lips. Let go…

4. Relax your eyelids (sometimes the lids open a bit) Let go…

5. Relax your scalp from the forehead, over the top of your head.

Now, with the eyes still closed, become aware of your conscienceness, and allow yourself to sink inward….inward…until your brain feels relaxed. Inward…

6. Now, look with your eyes (behind closed lids) at your feet and lower leg. First one, then the other, telling them to relax, let go…sleep…

7. Now, “look” at your upper legs and hips, tell them to relax, let go…sleep…

8. “Look” at your abdomen, telling the organs to relax, let go. Your Liver, your kidneys, your intestines, your genitals. Let go…sleep…

9. “Look” at your upper body, your heart, your lungs, your ribs, your hands, your arms. Let go, relax, sleep…

10. Think of your shoulders, your neck, relax, let go…sleep…repeat the number 10 several times. 

Now, think of your breathing.  Calm, steady. Listen to the sounds in your mind, letting thoughts, images, ideas float away from you like balloons.  You have no need for them now, they only get in the way. 

It is  very common to experience shaking or jerking of the limbs during this process.  Sometimes it can feel like something has “kicked” the limb launching it upward. Try to allow this to happen without interference, feeling the sensation pass through the limb. Never stop the reaction.  Easier said than done! Yet possible!  This is pent up energy releasing in an “explosion” as you let go of your tension.

Spend at least 30 to 40 minutes with this technique anytime during your day, or go through the sequence during your massage!

Namaste and Sweet Dreams!

Joy that there are ways to avoid this embarrassing situation!

We would love for everyone to give us a look-see at  Massage Solutions!  If you still find yourself searching, here are some helpful hints to locate legitimate therapists: Salons are obvious, yet useless after 6pm closing, or when they are booked up, and after an eight to 13 hour flight arriving at 11:23pm, a convenient on location massage sounds divine!

1. Never give any personal information until you are SURE these are the services you want! The “escorts” will get a name and location, then automatically send the “escort” to you whether you ask for it or not!  Usually you have already said no, yet they arrive anyway!

2. Any ads displaying words like “hot oil rubdown” “beautiful therapists” “guaranteed to please” just steer away!

3. Images in ads that are not massage related, like lipstick, lingerie, (We have even seen cherries, yeesh!) turn the page.

4. The label of “non-sexual” is not always accurate, yet can narrow it down a lot.  If the operator answers in a “suggestive” voice, hang up and try another.

5. Look for the Lic.#.  Same companies will advertise under different names, with false numbers, hoping to snag you that way.  It’s easy to check them out online through the county/city license search.  Takes about one minute of your time, and can weed out those who are not up to code. By the way, these #s are required by law in all ads.

County #s look like ####-519    City is MT######

6. Sorry, the local Craigslist is full of the escorts, and most of the Asian ones will tell you “we don’t do that kind of massage” when you ask for a swedish, etc.  There are legits, but hard to find.

In all, legitimate therapists abound, yet must struggle through the crowds of “that kind of massage” to reach you. 

Peace, Relaxation, and Healing thoughts to You!