Can Massage Help with Headaches and Migraines?

The type of headache matters

Tension-type headaches — the dull, band-like pressure often linked to neck and shoulder tightness — respond reasonably well to massage. Migraines are a different, more complex neurological condition, and massage should be seen as a supportive comfort measure at best, not a treatment for the underlying condition.

What tends to help

Gentle to medium-pressure work across the neck, shoulders, and scalp can ease tension-type headaches for many people, especially when the headache is linked to a stressful week or poor posture.

What massage won't do

It won't diagnose or cure a migraine disorder, and it isn't a substitute for medication prescribed by a doctor if you have frequent or severe migraines.

Our honest suggestion

If headaches are occasional and feel linked to stress or a stiff neck, a therapeutic or deep tissue session focused on the neck and shoulders is worth trying. If they're frequent, severe, or unusual for you, see a doctor first.