When a headache descends, MediMassage mends.

Headaches can sneak up on you and interrupt your whole day.  Some people get them once in a while; others struggle daily. Either way, headaches can make even the simple things feel hard, like work, hobbies, or enjoying time with family and friends.  The good news is that medical massage can help diminish headache pain so that you can get on with your day.  Medical massage is done by clinically trained massage therapists who know how muscles in the body work together.  They are able to pinpoint tight spots in the neck, shoulders, and jaw that often cause or spread headache pain.  They use focused techniques to loosen tight muscles, eliminate knots, and increase circulation.  This can lower pain, release tension, and help you feel better.  Whether your headaches are new or have been around for years, medical massage can be a helpful part of a plan to reduce them.  Read on to discover how medical massage can bring relief.

What is a headache? ^1-10

A headache is pain or discomfort in the region of the head, scalp, or neck. An estimated 96 out of 100 people will experience a headache in their lifetime with women more susceptible than men. Common types include tension-type headaches (affecting 40 out of 100 people), migraine headaches (affecting 10 out of 100 people), and cluster headaches (affecting 1 out of 1000 people). These headaches have distinct features and contributing factors may include (but are not limited to) nervous system stress and tension in muscles of the head and neck. Headaches can lower quality of life, decrease productivity, and disrupt work or school. Treatment strategies include management of lifestyle and triggers, pain medications, and integrative therapies such as medical massage.

For many people, medical massage provides an effective option to alleviate symptoms of certain headaches.

Studies indicate that 30 minutes of medical massage can provide relief. Furthermore, medical massage reduces the need for frequent medication use and problems that can come with it like side effects and dependence.

Which muscles are involved in headaches? ^11-13

• The suboccipital muscles lie at the base of the skull and help control head movements. Tightness from forward head posture produces pain that can start at the bottom of the skull and continue across the scalp or behind the eyes.
• The upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and levator scapulae play a role in moving the shoulders and neck and keeping them in proper alignment. Tension can limit range of motion and send pain up the back of the neck and into the head. This can develop from slouching, hunching over a phone or screen, and raising shoulders when stressed, anxious, or cold.
• The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and scalene muscles run along the sides and front of the neck and help rotate, tilt, and stabilize the head. Tautness from poor posture triggers pain around the forehead, sinuses, eyes, and jaw.
• The masseter and temporalis muscles are responsible for opening and closing the mouth and chewing. Strain from clenching and teeth grinding can cause pain in the temples and jaw.

Why does muscle tension cause headaches? ^{9, 14}

When muscles are tight, they:

• Create constant pain signals that keep the brain on alert.
• Change how the neck and upper spine move, which causes more strain.
• Cause poor posture, which may increase load on neck and shoulder muscles.

• Restrict blood flow and nutrients to and from muscles leading to fatigue and soreness.

These factors may contribute to primary headaches.

• A tension-type headache feels like a tight band or pressure around the head. Mild to moderate pain builds on both sides.
• A migraine presents as a strong, throbbing headache on one side (although possible on both). Symptoms include feeling sick, and bright lights or loud sounds worsen pain. Some experience “auras” (flashes of light, wavy lines, or other vision changes) before a migraine.
• A cluster headache causes intense, stabbing pain concentrated around one eye or one side of the head. The affected eye often tears, and the nostril on that side may run or become congested. Episodes occur in cycles multiple times throughout the day and can persist for days or weeks.

What is medical massage? ¹⁵

“Medical massage therapy is an outcome-based massage that targets specific muscle groups or other soft tissues to help relieve ailments and restore efficiency in the affected body area.”

How can medical massage help alleviate headaches? ¹⁶

Skillful manipulation of soft tissues can:

What happens during a clinic visit? ^16-17

Massage therapists apply various techniques on affected areas such as:

• Trigger point pressure: Steady pressure is applied to a knot until it relaxes.
• Myofascial release: Gentle but sustained pressure loosens tight connective tissue around muscles.
• Soft tissue mobilization: Kneading and friction increases tissue elasticity and releases muscle tension.
• Neck and shoulder stretches: Gentle stretches lengthen tight muscles.
• Lymphatic Drainage: Light motions push extra fluid from tissues to lymph nodes to filter waste and reduce swelling.

What are the benefits? ^18-39

Studies are limited and small in sample size but support a role for manual therapy — especially soft-tissue techniques and trigger-point work — as part of a comprehensive approach to headaches originating from or intensified by muscle tension, with the strongest evidence in tension-type headaches and adjunctive benefit for some migraine patients. Cluster headaches require primary medical management, though manual therapy may ease associated neck and shoulder discomfort.

For best outcomes, medical massage should be combined with exercise, posture correction, stress management, and appropriate medical care.

When is emergency medical care needed? ⁹

Medical massage is not a replacement for medical care when a headache is a sign of something serious. Seek immediate medical attention if a headache is:

• Sudden and severe (a “thunderclap” headache).
• Accompanied by weakness, trouble talking, vision loss, confusion, stiff neck, or a fever.
• Different from headaches experienced in the past.

Final Thoughts

Tight, overworked muscles in the head, neck, and shoulders can contribute to pain and discomfort with certain headaches. Medical massage — when provided by trained clinicians and combined with exercises, posture adjustments, and medical care as needed — can reduce muscle pain, improve movement, and lower the frequency or severity of headaches.

If you or someone you know experiences headaches caused by muscle tension, MediMassage can help. With professional licensed massage therapists guiding treatment and care, MediMassage can make you feel like yourself again. Call for an appointment or book online and feel the difference.

1. Olesen J. International Classification of Headache Disorders. Lancet Neurol. 2018 May;17(5):396-397. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(18)30085-
2. Epub 2018 Mar 14. PMID: 29550365.
3. Rizzoli P, Mullally WJ. Headache. Am J Med. 2018 Jan;131(1):17-24. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.09.005. Epub 2017 Sep 20. PMID: 28939471.
4. Wei DY, Yuan Ong JJ, Goadsby PJ. Cluster Headache: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Clinical Features, and Diagnosis. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2018 Apr;21(Suppl 1):S3-S8. doi: 10.4103/aian.AIAN_349_17. PMID: 29720812; PMCID: PMC5909131.
5. Shah N, Asuncion RMD, Hameed S. Muscle Contraction Tension Headache. [Updated 2024 Dec 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562274/
6. Becker WJ, Findlay T, Moga C, Scott NA, Harstall C, Taenzer P. Guideline for primary care management of headache in adults. Can Fam Physician. 2015 Aug;61(8):670-9. PMID: 26273080; PMCID: PMC4541429.
7. Licina E, Radojicic A, Jeremic M, Tomic A, Mijajlovic M. Non-Pharmacological Treatment of Primary Headaches-A Focused Review. Brain Sci. 2023 Oct 8;13(10):1432. doi: 10.3390/brainsci13101432. PMID: 37891800; PMCID: PMC10605615.
8. Saylor D, Steiner TJ. The Global Burden of Headache. Semin Neurol. 2018 Apr;38(2):182-190. doi: 10.1055/s-0038-1646946. Epub 2018 May
9. PMID: 29791944.
10. Turkistani A, Shah A, Jose AM, Melo JP, Luenam K, Ananias P, Yaqub S, Mohammed L. Effectiveness of Manual Therapy and Acupuncture in Tension-Type Headache: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2021 Aug 31;13(8):e17601. doi: 10.7759/cureus.17601. PMID: 34646653; PMCID: PMC8483450.
11. Hernandez J, Molina E, Rodriguez A, Woodford S, Nguyen A, Parker G, Lucke-Wold B. Headache Disorders: Differentiating Primary and Secondary Etiologies. J Integr Neurosci. 2024 Feb 20;23(2):43. doi: 10.31083/j.jin2302043. PMID: 38419454.
12. Moore CS, Sibbritt DW, Adams J. A critical review of manual therapy use for headache disorders: prevalence, profiles, motivations, communication and self-reported effectiveness. BMC Neurol. 2017 Mar 24;17(1):61. doi: 10.1186/s12883-017-0835-0. PMID: 28340566; PMCID: PMC5364599.
13. Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Alonso-Blanco C, Cuadrado ML, Gerwin RD, Pareja JA. Myofascial trigger points and their relationship to headache clinical parameters in chronic tension-type headache. Headache. 2006 Sep;46(8):1264-72. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2006.00440.x. PMID: 16942471.
14. Alonso-Blanco C, de-la-Llave-Rincón AI, Fernández-de-las-Peñas C. Muscle trigger point therapy in tension-type headache. Expert Rev Neurother. 2012 Mar;12(3):315-22. doi: 10.1586/ern.11.138. PMID: 22364330.
15. Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Ge HY, Alonso-Blanco C, González-Iglesias J, Arendt-Nielsen L. Referred pain areas of active myofascial trigger points in head, neck, and shoulder muscles, in chronic tension type headache. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2010 Oct;14(4):391-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2009.06.008. Epub 2009 Aug 3. PMID: 20850047.
16. Quinn C, Chandler C, Moraska A. Massage therapy and frequency of chronic tension headaches. Am J Public Health. 2002 Oct;92(10):1657-
17. doi: 10.2105/ajph.92.10.1657. PMID: 12356617; PMCID: PMC1447303.
18. MediMassage. Medical Massage Therapy. Available at: https://medi-massage.com/medical-massage-therapy/. Accessed 3/18/2026.
19. National Headache Foundation. Can Massage Therapy Help Your Headache Attacks? Available at: https://headaches.org/blog/can-massage-therapy-help-your-headache-attacks/ . Accessed 3/18/2026.
20. Pillai S, Zhang N. The Role of Manual Therapies in the Treatment of Headache Disorders. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2023 Aug;23(8):399-405. doi: 10.1007/s11910-023-01279-x. Epub 2023 Jun 24. PMID: 37354308.
21. Chaibi A, Russell MB. Manual therapies for primary chronic headaches: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Headache Pain. 2014 Oct 2;15(1):67. doi: 10.1186/1129-2377-15-67. PMID: 25278005; PMCID: PMC4194455.
22. Falsiroli Maistrello L, Geri T, Gianola S, Zaninetti M, Testa M. Effectiveness of Trigger Point Manual Treatment on the Frequency, Intensity, and Duration of Attacks in Primary Headaches: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Front Neurol. 2018 Apr 24;9:254. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00254. PMID: 29740386; PMCID: PMC5928320.
23. Puustjärvi K, Airaksinen O, Pöntinen PJ. The effects of massage in patients with chronic tension headache. Acupunct Electrother Res. 1990;15(2):159-62. doi: 10.3727/036012990816358234. PMID: 1978505.
24. Quinn C, Chandler C, Moraska A. Massage therapy and frequency of chronic tension headaches. Am J Public Health. 2002 Oct;92(10):1657-
25. doi: 10.2105/ajph.92.10.1657. PMID: 12356617; PMCID: PMC1447303.
26. Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Alonso-Blanco C, Cuadrado ML, Miangolarra JC, Barriga FJ, Pareja JA. Are manual therapies effective in reducing pain from tension-type headache?: a systematic review. Clin J Pain. 2006 Mar-Apr;22(3):278-85. doi: 10.1097/01.ajp.0000173017.64741.86. PMID: 16514329.
27. Moraska A, Chandler C. Changes in Clinical Parameters in Patients with Tension-type Headache Following Massage Therapy: A Pilot Study. J Man Manip Ther. 2008;16(2):106-12. doi: 10.1179/106698108790818468. PMID: 19119396; PMCID: PMC2565109.
28. Moraska A, Chandler C. Changes in Psychological Parameters in Patients with Tension-type Headache Following Massage Therapy: A Pilot Study. J Man Manip Ther. 2009;17(2):86-94. doi: 10.1179/106698109790824695. PMID: 20046550; PMCID: PMC2700492.
29. Toro-Velasco C, Arroyo-Morales M, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Cleland JA, Barrero-Hernández FJ. Short-term effects of manual therapy on heart rate variability, mood state, and pressure pain sensitivity in patients with chronic tension-type headache: a pilot study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2009 Sep;32(7):527-35. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2009.08.011. PMID: 19748404.
30. Espí-López GV, Gómez-Conesa A. Efficacy of manual and manipulative therapy in the perception of pain and cervical motion in patients with tension-type headache: a randomized, controlled clinical trial. J Chiropr Med. 2014 Mar;13(1):4-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2014.01.004. PMID: 24711779; PMCID: PMC3976494.
31. Moraska AF, Stenerson L, Butryn N, Krutsch JP, Schmiege SJ, Mann JD. Myofascial trigger point-focused head and neck massage for recurrent tension-type headache: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Clin J Pain. 2015 Feb;31(2):159-68. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000091. PMID: 25329141; PMCID: PMC4286457.
32. Kamali F, Mohamadi M, Fakheri L, Mohammadnejad F. Dry needling versus friction massage to treat tension type headache: A randomized clinical trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2019 Jan;23(1):89-93. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2018.01.009. Epub 2018 Jan 31. PMID: 30691768.
33. Cumplido-Trasmonte C, Fernández-González P, Alguacil-Diego IM, Molina-Rueda F. Manual therapy in adults with tension-type headache: A systematic review. Neurologia (Engl Ed). 2021 Sep;36(7):537-547. doi: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2017.12.005. Epub 2020 Apr 7. PMID: 34537167.
34. Chatchawan U, Eungpinichpong W, Sooktho S, Tiamkao S, Yamauchi J. Effects of Thai traditional massage on pressure pain threshold and headache intensity in patients with chronic tension-type and migraine headaches. J Altern Complement Med. 2014 Jun;20(6):486-92. doi: 10.1089/acm.2013.0176. Epub 2014 Apr 16. PMID: 24738648.
35. Do TP, Heldarskard GF, Kolding LT, Hvedstrup J, Schytz HW. Myofascial trigger points in migraine and tension-type headache. J Headache Pain. 2018 Sep 10;19(1):84. doi: 10.1186/s10194-018-0913-8. PMID: 30203398; PMCID: PMC6134706.
36. Lu Z, Zou H, Zhao P, Wang J, Wang R. Myofascial Release for the Treatment of Tension-Type, Cervicogenic Headache or Migraine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Res Manag. 2024 Mar 31;2024:2042069. doi: 10.1155/2024/2042069. PMID: 38585645; PMCID: PMC10999287.
37. Lawler SP, Cameron LD. A randomized, controlled trial of massage therapy as a treatment for migraine. Ann Behav Med. 2006 Aug;32(1):50-
38. doi: 10.1207/s15324796abm3201_6. PMID: 16827629.
39. Ghanbari A, Askarzadeh P, Petramfar P, Mohamadi M. Migraine responds better to a combination of medical therapy and trigger point management than routine medical therapy alone. NeuroRehabilitation. 2015;37:157–163.
40. Happe S, Peikert A, Siegert R, Evers S. The efficacy of lymphatic drainage and traditional massage in the prophylaxis of migraine: a randomized, controlled parallel group study. Neurol Sci. 2016 Oct;37(10):1627-32. doi: 10.1007/s10072-016-2645-3. Epub 2016 Jun 23. Erratum in: Neurol Sci. 2016 Oct;37(10):1753. doi: 10.1007/s10072-016-2657-z. PMID: 27338942.
41. 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.
42. Toprak Celenay S, Coban O, Mete O, Karahan N. An investigation of the effects of connective tissue massage in women with migraine: A controlled clinical trial. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2023 Jan;33:112-119. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.09.008. Epub 2022 Sep 23. PMID: 36775505
43. Yıldırım Bulut B, Çinar Özdemir Ö. Comparison of the efficacy of connective tissue massage and manual lymphatic drainage in patients with migraine: a randomized controlled trial. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2025 Sep;39(3):121-132. doi: 10.22514/jofph.2025.054. Epub 2025 Sep 12. PMID: 41070573; PMCID: PMC12520417.
44. 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.