Tension headaches: These are very common and are felt like a tight band around the forehead. The headache is often caused by stress and results from the tightening of the muscles around the head, forehead and eyes.

Migraine: Not as common but can be severely dehabilitating. Usually described by patients as a throbbing pain in one or both sides of the head. Classical migraine is usually preceded by an auditory or visual aura. This is experienced as white dots or zig zags of light in the vision. Migraine can cause nausea and vomiting and can sometimes result in the patient having to lie still in a dark quiet room for hours at a time waiting for the headache to pass.

Cluster headaches: Severe and intense pain felt around one eye, this headache is experienced in clusters, hence the name. The headaches are experienced for a short period of time and then there are headache free periods of weeks or months.

More serious secondary headaches: Headache following a head injury, or headache of sudden and new onset with no history of previous headaches are both signs that a headache could have a more serious cause and if worried about a headache do not hesitate to contact your GP.

Almost all types of headaches can be triggered by stress. Finding time in your every day to relax and unwind is one of the most effective ways to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. However the underlying cause of the headache can be targeted using massage.