A local therapist says relief for tension headaches may not be in a bottle, but in your own hands.

A Self-Massage for Headache Relief Workshop will be held Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center conference room.

William G. Connell, a licensed massage therapist, said he will be

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instructing workshop participants on how to relieve headaches via massage. He said participants are actually going to practice techniques and will receive graphics to go along with them.

Connell said each technique is applied for about a minute, but he said 10 seconds is better than nothing.

It is specifically for tension headaches, not migraines, Connell said.

Connell said tension headaches can be caused by a tight scalp, emotional stress, eye strain and habitual poor posture.

Everyone practices self-massage when they shampoo their hair and smooth soap onto their neck and face, Connell said.

He said poor posture puts pressure on nerves which causes headaches.

Some people get headaches when the tense up their jaw and neck in response to emotional stress, Connell said.

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In addition to massaging the jaw muscles, you can gently open your mouth wide and stretch your tongue way out to relax the jaw, Connell said.

He said self-massage techniques are also helpful while testing and taking breaks from work.

Cost of the workshop is $5 for students, $6 for Student Recreation Center members, $7 for University affiliates and $8 for community members.