A recent research article stated that a specific type of surgery could get rid of migraines and cluster headaches.
The surgery involved cutting muscles at the base of the patient's skull.
  When these muscles were cut, pressure from the muscles that caused the headache was released.
Without pressure from the muscles, the head pain could go away.
But, surgery is invasive.
 

• It causes injury to the tissues.
   
• It causes scars.
   
• It is expensive.
   
• And, surgery can have side effects and after-effects that are not desired.
  

The researchers had already figured out that the headaches were caused by muscles.
  They knew that the symptom (the head pain) was caused by tightness in the muscles under the base (back) of the skull.
But, they did not look at therapies which were less invasive and already available.
The reason they didn't may be because the researchers simply did not know there are natural, simple and effective muscular therapy techniques that relieve pain.
  Fact #1:  The roles of muscles and other soft tissues as causes of pain are largely overlooked in the medical field.
  This is not widely taught in medical schools.
  Fact #2:  Methods of treating or releasing muscles are also not well known in conventional medicine.
  Again, this is barely "touched" on in medical schools.
Fact #3:  Tight muscles can be released manually.
  Pressure from fingers into the specific muscles which are causing your pain can release the muscles and eliminate your pain.
The muscles we are talking about here are called occipital muscles.
  They are located under the occipital bone which is the lowest part of the back of your skull.
Muscles tend to work together as a group, so many of your muscles may be tight in this area.
  Tight muscles can entrap (trap) nerves.
  They can also have trigger points which cause pain.
Muscles are not supposed to be too tight.
  They are supposed to be flexible and "soft.
"  Muscles often become tight because they are overworked.
When we use our muscles as bones they become overworked.
If your head is too far forward (instead of over your body, where it belongs,) you are overworking your occipitals.
  Those muscles are now acting as bones do, to hold up your head.
  That's not their job.
  They're just muscles, supposed to help you move.
Also, if you wear bifocals and tilt your head back a lot, that will tighten your occipital muscles.
So, your occipital muscles complain by causing a headache or migraine.
How can you release these tight muscles?

• Go to a really good massage therapist who knows how to work deeply into occipital muscles.
    She or he will warm all of the muscles in the area with their hands and then will use her fingers or a small rubber-tipped tool to press into the occipitals.
    You may have to find a neuromuscular massage therapist or Rolfer (these are two massage specialties.
  )
• You can "dig" or press into these muscles yourself, but we usually can't do this as well as a massage professional.
    Still, you may have some good results with this.
    If it's tender, you know you are in the right place.
    Hold each spot for 12 seconds.
    You can go back to the most tender places several times, always for 12 seconds.
  
• Try ice therapy.
    Use a bag of frozen peas or an ice pack that fits comfortably under your neck as you lie on your back.
    Place a pillow case or other thin fabric between you and the ice pack.
    Spend 20 minutes on and off.
    (Heat is generally best for releasing tight muscles and ice for nerves.
    But, since this area is so closely involved with irritated nerve fibers, ice usually seems to work best for softening occipital muscles.
  )

Pressure on the tight occipitals muscles will cause some discomfort.
  That's because they are tighter than they should be.
  But, when they are released, those muscles will no longer cause migraine or headache pain for you.