Migraines and headaches can significally impact daily life, causing discomfort and fatigue. More and more people are turning to natural ways to relieve these symptoms, and massage therapy is one effective approach. In this post, we will explore how massage can help reduce pain and improve overall well-being.

 

About headaches and migranes

              Headache disorders are among the most common disorders of the nervous system. Migrane headache ranked third in accounting for overall neurological disease burden as measured by age ranked third in accounting for overall neurological disease burden as measured by age-standardized siability-adjusted life years in 2021. Headache disorders, which are characterized by reccurent headaches, are associated with personal and societal burdens of pain, disability, damaged quality of life and financial cost. Globally, headache disorders affect approximately 40% of the population, or 3.1. billion people in 2021, and are more common in females compared to males. Headache disorders can result in missing school, sports and other activities in children, adolscents and adults. Not only is a headache painful, but it is also disabling. According to the Global Health Estimates 2021, migrane headaches was found to be third highest cause of disability-adjusted life years worldwide, after stroke and neonatal encephalophaty.

 

Difference between migraines and headaches

            Headache is general term that inlcude various types of pain in the head, such as tension headaches, which are usually mild to moderate and feel like a constant pressure. A migrane, on the other hand, is a specific neurological condition characterized by intense, throbbing pain (often on one side of the head), along with symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

 

Massage therapy use for migranes and headaches

 “Massage therapy can be useful in the managment of headaches in the short term and its induced disability in the short and long term in migranes patients” (Faghihi, 2025).  “Current evidences suggested that the massage therapy may be superior to drug therapies, and it had no obvious side effects, which could be considered as a safe and effective treatment opinion for migrane. In addition, there was no difference between the efficacy of masage and the acupuncture therapy while the combination of massage and acupuncture may produce better results” (Tang, Shang; 2016).  Another study shows that “massage alone and massage with cervical mobilization showed positive results of migrane. Furthermore massage with mobilization shows more effective and positive results than alone massage” (Zahid, 2022). “Myofascial release and stretching techniques were effective in improving symptoms in patients with migrane headache. These techniques can be used as a therapeutic option in migrane patients” (Rezaeian, 2021).  “The application of the physical stretching of the sub-occipital muscles and relief of migrane is validated to be true” (Shousha, 2020).

 

Case study

A 28 year old woman presented with migranes occuring once or twice per month. She came for therapy due her feeling of tigthness in her upper body, which she associated with her work routine and posture.

Following a detailed consultation and physical assessment, it became evident that several upper body muscles were significantly tense and overactive. These included the suboccipital muscles, sternocleidomastoideus, supraspinatus, rhomboideus, levator scapulae, as well as other supporting musculature in the neck and upper back region. This muscular tension was likely contributing to her migraines by increasing strain in the cervical area, restricting mobility, and potentially affecting blood flow and nerve sensitivity.

Treatment focused on targeted massage therapy, with attention to the upper back and neck areas. In addition to manual therapy, the patient was guided through a program of stretching and strengthening exercises, especially aimed at improving posture and supporting the back muscles.

After just two sessions, the client reported a significant improvement – she expierienced no migraines or headaches for an entire year. While such results are not always typical and can vary depending on the individual and their daily habits, this case highlights how adressing muscular tension and postural imbalances can have aprofund impact.

To maintain these results, therapy was continued on a consistent basis. The client attended sessions once every two weeks, which proved sufficient for her needs. Consistency played a key role in sustaining the improvements and preventing recurrence of symptoms.

 

            Although migraines and headaches can be challaenging, there are many ways to manage them, and massage therapy can be a valuable addition to a wellness routine. Regular relaxation of both body and mind may help reduce tension and improve overall quality of life. By listening to your body and choosing the right approach, it is possible to find relief and restore balance. Headache has been understimated, under-recognzed and under-treated throughout the world.

 

 

1. Xiao-Yi, Tang, et al. "Massage for migraine: A meta-analysis." Traditional Medicine Research1 (2016): 32.
2. Faghihi, Zakiyeh, Ali Ansari Jaberi, and Tayebeh Negahban Bonabi. "Massage Therapy by Trained Family Members in Management of Headache in Patients with Migraine: A Double Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial." Jundishapur Journal of Chronic Disease Care2 (2025).
3. Zahid, A. M. B. R. E. E. N., et al. "The Effect of Mobilization Combined with Soft Tissue Massage Versus Soft Tissue Massage Alone on Migraine Intensity." Pakistan J Med Health Sci.2 (2022): 1-260.
4. Rezaeian, Tahere, et al. "The impact of myofascial release and stretching techniques on the clinical outcomes of migraine headache: A randomized controlled trial." Journal of Research in Medical Sciences1 (2021): 45.
5. Shousha, Tamer Mohamed, and Ahmed Behiry. "Can selective exercises of neck muscles relief migraine." Int J Psychosoc Rehabil10 (2020).