Can Massage Help Tension Headaches?
You feel pressure building around your forehead or temples. Your neck feels tight. Your shoulders seem like they're creeping closer to your ears.
Then the headache starts.
If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing a tension headache.
Tension headaches are one of the most common types of headaches, and they can sometimes occur alongside tight or uncomfortable muscles in the neck, shoulders and upper back.
So, can massage help?
For some people, massage therapy may help reduce the muscular tension and stress that accompany tension headaches, particularly when tight neck and shoulder muscles are part of the picture.
What Does a Tension Headache Feel Like?
Tension headaches don't feel exactly the same for everyone.
Some people describe them as a dull ache. Others describe a feeling of pressure or tightness around the head.
Common symptoms may include:
Dull or aching head pain
Pressure around the forehead or temples
A "band" of pressure around the head
Tight neck muscles
Sore or tense shoulders
Upper-back tightness
Tenderness around the scalp, neck or shoulders
You may also notice that your headaches tend to appear after a long day at your computer, periods of stress, poor sleep or spending hours in the same position.
Can Tight Neck and Shoulder Muscles Contribute to Headaches?
Muscles throughout your neck, shoulders and upper back work constantly to support and move your head.
And modern life doesn't always make their job easy.
Think about how much time you spend:
Looking at a computer
Looking down at your phone
Driving
Sitting at a desk
Carrying stress in your shoulders
Working in one position
Sleeping in an awkward position
After hours of this, the muscles around your neck and shoulders may feel stiff, sore or fatigued.
For someone experiencing tension headaches alongside muscular tightness, addressing those tight areas may be helpful.
Can Massage Help a Tension Headache?
Massage may help with muscle tension associated with tension headaches.
A massage therapist can work with tight muscles throughout the neck, shoulders and upper back rather than simply focusing on where you feel the headache.
Depending on your symptoms, a session might focus on areas such as the:
Neck
Shoulders
Upper back
Base of the skull
Scalp
Jaw
Reducing tension in these areas may help you feel more relaxed and comfortable.
Massage also gives you something many of us don't get very often: dedicated time to slow down and relax.
For people whose headaches seem to appear during particularly stressful periods, that relaxation component can be valuable as well.
Why Does My Headache Start in My Neck?
Sometimes a headache seems to come with an obvious warning sign:
Your neck gets tight first.
You may notice stiffness at the base of your skull or feel a knot developing in your upper shoulders before the headache becomes noticeable.
That's useful information to share with your massage therapist.
Instead of simply saying, "I get headaches," explain where you notice tension and what tends to happen before the headache begins.
For example:
"My shoulders get really tight after working at my computer, then I start feeling pressure around my temples."
That gives your therapist more information when determining which areas may benefit from additional attention during the session.
Desk Work, Phones and Neck Tension
If you spend most of your day at a desk, your neck and shoulders may be working harder than you realize.
Hours spent looking at a computer or down at a phone can leave the muscles around your neck, shoulders and upper back feeling tired and tight.
You may notice:
Tightness across the tops of your shoulders
Stiffness when turning your head
Soreness between your shoulder blades
Tender areas around the base of your skull
Headaches toward the end of the workday
If this sounds familiar, massage may be useful for addressing the muscular tension that has accumulated throughout those areas.
What Does a Massage for Tension Headaches Look Like?
There isn't one specific massage routine that every person with headaches needs.
At Massage In ATX, massage sessions are customized based on what's bothering you, the areas where you're experiencing tension, and your pressure preferences.
Your massage may incorporate a combination of techniques depending on what your body needs.
The session might include more focused work around the neck and shoulders while also addressing the upper back, scalp or other areas where you're holding tension.
And you don't need to know which type of massage technique to request before you arrive.
Explain what you're experiencing and where you're feeling tight. Your therapist can help determine how to approach the session.
What About Jaw Tension and Headaches?
Your neck and shoulders aren't the only areas that may feel tight when you're experiencing headaches.
Some people also clench their jaw, particularly during stressful periods or while sleeping.
If you regularly wake up with a tight jaw or notice yourself clenching your teeth during the day, you may experience discomfort around the jaw, temples, face or head.
Massage In ATX has additional information about TMJ massage, jaw pain and headaches, so this would be an excellent place to link directly to that article.
Building this connection is also helpful for SEO because someone searching for headache relief may actually be dealing with a combination of neck tension, shoulder tightness and jaw tension.
Stress and Muscle Tension
Have you ever noticed what your shoulders do when you're stressed?
For many people, they move upward and stay there.
Stress can also lead to jaw clenching and other patterns of muscle tension.
Over time, you may not even notice how tense you've become until your shoulders hurt or your head starts aching.
Massage gives those muscles an opportunity to relax while also giving you time away from the computer, phone, work and other everyday stressors.
When Should You See a Healthcare Professional About Headaches?
Not every headache is a tension headache, and massage isn't appropriate for every type of headache.
New, severe, unusual or worsening headaches should be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Seek prompt medical attention for a sudden, extremely severe headache or a headache accompanied by concerning symptoms such as neurological changes, significant weakness, confusion, fainting, fever with a stiff neck, or a recent significant head injury.
If you're experiencing frequent headaches, it's also worth discussing them with a healthcare provider to help determine what's causing them.
Once you understand the cause, massage may be useful for addressing associated muscular tension when appropriate.
Is This Your First Massage?
If headaches or neck tension have finally convinced you to schedule your first professional massage, you may be wondering what actually happens during the appointment.
That's completely normal.
First-time clients often have questions like:
What should I wear?
Do I have to completely undress?
How much pressure will the therapist use?
Will the therapist work on my neck?
How am I covered during the massage?
What if something feels uncomfortable?
At Massage In ATX, your session is customized around your needs and comfort level.
You can talk with your therapist beforehand about your headaches, neck or shoulder tension, pressure preferences and any areas you do or don't want worked on.
For a more complete explanation, read:
If you're wondering how you'll be covered during your massage, Moe also has a short video demonstrating professional massage draping:
Knowing what to expect can make scheduling that first massage feel much more comfortable.
Massage for Neck Tension and Headaches in Round Rock, TX
If tight neck, shoulder or upper-back muscles seem to accompany your headaches, a customized massage may help address that muscular tension.
At Massage In ATX in Round Rock, TX, your massage is based on what your body needs rather than following the exact same routine for every client.
Tell your massage therapist, Moe Marvi where you're feeling tension, when your headaches tend to occur, and what seems to make your symptoms better or worse.
Your session can then focus additional attention on areas such as your neck, shoulders and upper back while incorporating other appropriate massage techniques based on your comfort and goals.
If you're dealing with recurring muscle tension in your neck and shoulders, schedule a massage with Massage In ATX in Round Rock.
This article is for general educational purposes and isn't intended to diagnose or treat headaches or another medical condition. New, severe, persistent, worsening or unexplained headaches should be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Comments