Introduction
Hi, I’m Paulius Jurasius, founder of JANMI Soft Tissue Therapy. If you've ever experienced tension headaches, you know how challenging they can be. The tight pressure behind your eyes and the feeling of a band squeezing your head can make it hard to enjoy anything. At JANMI, I’ve developed a treatment approach that doesn't just mask the pain—we work to fix what’s really causing it so you can feel better for good.
Understanding Tension Headaches: Anatomy and Evolution
Tension headaches often come from problems in the muscles of your neck, shoulders, and upper back. Our bodies were made to move—long ago, we spent all day on the move, hunting, gathering, and exploring. But today, most of us sit a lot, whether we’re at a desk, on our phones, or relaxing at home. This lack of movement, combined with poor posture, leads to tight, overworked muscles that trigger tension headaches.
The muscles that usually cause these headaches include the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and suboccipitals—the small muscles at the base of your skull. When these muscles get tight, they pull on your neck and head, creating that familiar aching tension. It’s like a tug-of-war inside your body—the more these muscles pull, the worse your headache becomes.
How Modern Life Contributes to Tension Headaches
Modern life plays a big role in why so many people suffer from tension headaches today. Hours spent staring at a computer screen or looking down at a phone lead to what's often called "tech neck." This forward-head posture puts extra strain on the muscles of your neck and upper back. Tension keeps building until it turns into a headache that just won’t go away.
Stress is another major contributor. When we're stressed, we tend to tense our shoulders without even realizing it. Over time, this muscle tension leads to pain and headaches that can be hard to shake.
JANMI's Approach to Tension Headache Treatment
At JANMI Soft Tissue Therapy, my goal is not just to stop your headache but to ensure it doesn’t come back. I use a combination of myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and targeted exercises to address both the immediate pain and the root causes.
Myofascial Release: Myofascial release helps loosen up the fascia—the connective tissue that wraps around all your muscles. When this tissue gets tight, it restricts movement and creates areas of tension. By gently releasing these areas, I help improve mobility and reduce the tightness that leads to headaches.
Trigger Point Therapy: Trigger points are tight spots in your muscles that can send pain to other areas of your body. For tension headaches, trigger points in the upper back and neck often cause pain to spread to your head. By identifying and releasing these points, I can help alleviate your headache pain.
Targeted Exercises: I also provide personalized exercises you can do at home to help keep headaches away. These exercises focus on improving posture and strengthening the muscles that support your neck and upper back. Movements like chin tucks, scapular retractions, and neck stretches help you build better habits that prevent tension from building up.
Case Study: Emma’s Journey to Relief
Emma, a 29-year-old graphic designer, came to JANMI after dealing with tension headaches for months. Her job required her to sit at a desk and stare at a computer for hours. The constant pain made it hard for her to focus, and she felt irritable by the end of each day.
When Emma came in, we focused on her posture. Her shoulders were rounded, and her head was pushed forward. We worked on loosening the tightness in her upper back and suboccipital muscles with myofascial release and trigger point therapy. I also gave her exercises like chin tucks and shoulder blade squeezes to strengthen her posture muscles.
After a few weeks, Emma noticed her headaches were much improved. She could focus better at work and felt less irritable. By keeping up with her exercises and coming in for regular sessions, she was able to keep the headaches away for good.
Important Note
Tension headaches can be caused by many factors, so it’s important to get checked by a healthcare professional to rule out other issues. The techniques and exercises I mention here are most effective when guided by an experienced therapist who can create a plan that fits your needs.
Conclusion
Tension headaches are not just about pain in your head—they're often a sign that something deeper is out of balance. At JANMI Soft Tissue Therapy, I look at the whole picture—from your posture to the stress you carry every day. My approach combines hands-on therapies and personalized exercises to help you find real, lasting relief from the headaches that have been holding you back.
If tension headaches are making your life difficult, let’s work together to find a solution. At JANMI Soft Tissue Therapy, I’m here to help you find relief, restore balance, and get back to living your life fully.
Warm regards,
Paulius Jurasius
Founder, JANMI Soft Tissue Therapy
Comments