Can Massage Therapy Help Your Headache Attacks?

Many people struggle with headache attacks on an infrequent, episodic, or chronic basis.  Different types of headache disorders have different causes and treatments, and massage therapy may be considered to complement a treatment plan.

This blog will briefly discuss some of the different types of headache disorders and explore why massage therapy might be considered for relief.  While massage therapy isn’t part of the official treatment recommendations from the American Headache Society, as the science is still evolving; there is some research that shows massage therapy is beneficial in relieving common headache triggers, such as anxiety, stress and sleep issues.

Understanding the Role of Massage in Headache Care

While specific massage techniques can address various causes and triggers of headache and migraine, individuals with chronic headache should consult their healthcare professionals for a comprehensive assessment and personalized advice on managing their condition.

Massage therapy should be administered by trained professionals who can adapt techniques to individual needs and conditions. Massage techniques vary, so it is essential to ensure that your massage therapist asks and learns about what you’re experiencing, as well as your goals and preferences.  Using the right amount of pressure in the right way is important. Getting a massage, if possible, about every four to six weeks is recommended to relieve muscle tension in the body. 

For massage to be effective, massage therapists also need to understand the cause of your headache. If you have an injury that’s causing the headache, such as a neck injury, it is important to address both the head pain and the neck injury with massage to relieve a headache or migraine attack.

What Type of Headache Do I Have? 

Typically, when someone is suffering from head pain we simply refer to the pain as a headache; however, there are different types of headache disorders that can have different causes and treatments. If you suffer from episodic or chronic headache that has moderate to severe pain, understanding the type of headache you’re experiencing can help you explore effective treatment options.

Some of the common types of headache are: 

  • Tension Headache: This is the most common type of headache and is often caused by stress, muscle tension, fatigue, eye strain, or poor posture. Mild-to-moderate head pain, light or sound sensitivity, no pulsating sensation, no nausea or vomiting.
  • Migraine: Migraine is characterized by moderate to severe throbbing/pulsating head pain, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and/or sensitivity to light and sound, and for about 25% visual disturbances (aura).
  • Cluster (Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias): These are severe headache attacks that occur in clusters or cycles, often around the eyes or temples, are usually side-locked, and can cause intense pain. There might also be visible symptoms such as eye redness, tearing or irritation.
  • Sinus Headache: This headache occurs when the sinus cavity is inflamed from allergies, illness, or dry weather. The pain is a deep ache centralized in the cheekbones, forehead, and bridge of the nose.
  • Post-traumatic Headache: A common complication of head injury or concussion, occurring in 30–90% of cases. It can be acute or chronic and may resemble a migraine or tension-type headache.

How Does Massage Help Headache?

Massage therapy can be beneficial for relieving headache due to its ability to: 

  • Relax Muscles: Massage helps release tension in the muscles of the head, neck, and shoulders, reducing the intensity and frequency of tension headache attacks.
  • Improve Circulation: By increasing blood flow, massage promotes oxygen and nutrient delivery to the brain, which can help alleviate migraine symptoms.
  • Reduce Stress: Massage therapy promotes relaxation and reduces stress levels, which are contributing factors for both tension and migraine headache attacks.
  • Lymphatic Drainage: The pressure of a massage can help improve circulation and promote lymphatic drainage which can alleviate pressure that causes sinus headache attacks.

What Are Some Massage Techniques to Consider? 

  • Trigger Point Therapy: This type of therapy involves applying pressure to specific trigger points in the muscles to release tension and alleviate headache pain.
  • Deep Tissue Massage: Deep tissue massage targets deeper layers of muscle tissue to relieve chronic tension and improve overall muscle function. 
  • Craniosacral Therapy: Craniosacral massage provides a gentle manipulation of the skull and spine to promote relaxation, relieve pressure, and improve headache symptoms.
  • Cold Stone Therapy: The goal is to reduce the overabundant blood flow to the head and brain with cold stones, thereby normalizing the blood flow, to reduce or remove the pounding sensation, and help to calm the brain. Positioning specifically designed marble stones, cooled to approximately 36 degrees and applied to specific areas of the face and neck can help to provide relief.  
  • Myofascial Release: Myofascial release focuses on releasing tension in the fascia (connective tissue) to improve range of motion and reduce headache frequency. 
  • Prenatal Massage: Prenatal massage incorporates gentle techniques to help balance hormones and alleviate symptoms associated with hormonal triggers.
  • Acupressure: Acupressure stimulates specific points in the body to promote energy flow and relieve headache pain. 
  • Aromatherapy: Depending on your trigger and your experience, you can breathe different blends of oils, one at a time.  If you have a migraine because of stress, consider essential oils of clary sage, spikenard, helichrysum and lavender. For an environmental trigger, you might try roman chamomile, lavender, peppermint and rosemary.
  • Reflexology: Apply pressure to different parts of your hands or feet.

When Not to Use Massage: If you’re experiencing new, sudden, or severe headache symptoms, or if your headache is accompanied by neurological symptoms (such as vision loss or weakness), seek medical attention before trying massage therapy.

Where to Find Massage Therapy: 

Massage Therapists: Seek out a licensed massage therapist who specializes in headache relief or pain management. Find a provider now. 

Physical Therapists: Physical therapists can also provide massage therapy and other treatments for headache disorders. Find a provider now. 

Self-Care Focus:

Get a Massage. Getting a massage every four to six weeks is important to relieve muscle tension in the body.

Do Something You Enjoy. Since stress can induce headache attacks, taking some time out of your day to engage in a relaxing activity helps to reduce some of that stress. “How do I calm down and maintain my center?” when finding ways to reduce stress that leads to headache attacks.

Keep Your Body in Mind. Practicing proper posture, focusing on diet and exercise, including fluid intake. Dehydration is a big cause of headache attacks, it’s important to drink enough water daily to ensure proper brain function and energy levels, approximately 3.7 liters for men and 2.7 liters for women, according to Mayo Clinic.

Self-Massage. Ask your massage therapist for some exercises you can do at home. They might have a list of massage exercise recommendations for your eyes, nose, mouth and jaw.

    • Temples: Gently massage the temples in a circular motion.
    • Scalp: Use your fingertips to massage the scalp in a circular motion. 
    • Neck and Shoulders: Massage the neck and shoulder muscles to relieve tension. 
    • Between Eyebrows: Gently massage the area between the eyebrows. 
    • Base of Eyebrows: Massage the two spots at the base of the eyebrows on either side of the bridge of the nose.
    • Suboccipital Muscles: Massage the muscles at the base of the skull. 

Want to Learn More?

Here are some published articles on the science of massage therapy and massage:

  • Ding F, Liu Z, Li R, Wang C, Lu Y. Acupuncture plus massage for cervicogenic headache: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Jan 28;101(4):e28736. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000028736. PMID: 35089247; PMCID: PMC8797556.
  • Hachul H, Oliveira DS, Bittencourt LR, Andersen ML, Tufik S. The beneficial effects of massage therapy for insomnia in postmenopausal women. Sleep Sci. 2014 Jun;7(2):114-6. doi: 10.1016/j.slsci.2014.09.005. Epub 2014 Sep 16. PMID: 26483913; PMCID: PMC4521661. 
  • Quinn C, Chandler C, Moraska A. Massage therapy and frequency of chronic tension headaches. Am J Public Health. 2002 Oct;92(10):1657-61. doi: 10.2105/ajph.92.10.1657. PMID: 12356617; PMCID: PMC1447303. 
  •  Rapaport MH, Schettler P, Larson ER, Edwards SA, Dunlop BW, Rakofsky JJ, Kinkead B. Acute Swedish Massage Monotherapy Successfully Remediates Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Proof-of-Concept, Randomized Controlled Study. J Clin Psychiatry. 2016 Jul;77(7):e883-91. doi: 10.4088/JCP.15m10151. PMID: 27464321; PMCID: PMC11708495.  
  • Rostron S. The Effects of Massage Therapy on a Patient with Migraines and Cervical Spondylosis: a Case Report. Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2021 Sep 2;14(3):15-21. doi: 10.3822/ijtmb.v14i3.629. PMID: 34484491; PMCID: PMC8362828.