Guide · 3 min read
Can Massage Help Headaches or Migraines?
By Jodi, The Reset Room Glasgow
HND in Complementary Therapies · BSc in Integrative Health Care · Published · Reviewed September 2026
Massage may help some people whose headaches are linked with neck, jaw or shoulder tension, but research results are limited and inconsistent. Migraine is a neurological condition, and massage does not treat its underlying cause.
Before booking, it helps to know the type and pattern of headache you experience. New, sudden or unusual headaches need medical attention rather than massage.
Tension type headache and migraine are different
Tension-type headaches often feel like pressure or a dull ache on both sides of the head. Migraine may involve throbbing pain, nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Individual symptoms vary, and recurring headaches should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Massage may reduce accompanying muscle tension. That is a narrower and more accurate claim than saying it treats migraine.
What the evidence shows
NCCIH reports that only a small number of massage studies for headache have been completed, using different methods and producing inconsistent results. One small tension-headache study found no difference between massage and an inactive comparison treatment, even though both groups improved.
This means some people may find massage helpful, but it cannot be relied on to prevent or stop headaches.
Massage options for muscular tension
Indian head massage focuses on the head, neck and shoulders. Swedish massage may suit wider stress-related tension. Targeted work can also be included where appropriate, but a sensitive neck should not be treated aggressively.
When not to book a massage first
The NHS advises urgent or emergency help for certain headache symptoms. Call 999 or attend A&E for a sudden extremely painful headache, seizure, new weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking or walking, confusion, loss of vision, a non-fading rash or a headache with a very high temperature and stiff neck.
Ask for GP or NHS 111 advice for headaches that keep returning, worsen or come with other worrying symptoms. If you are in the middle of migraine and touch, light or sound feels unbearable, rescheduling may be kinder than trying to push through a session.
What to tell your therapist
Explain whether the headache is familiar or new, what usually triggers it, whether you have a diagnosis and what symptoms you have that day. I can adjust lighting, sound, positioning and pressure, but I cannot diagnose the headache.
This guide is general information from a massage and holistic therapist, not medical advice. If you have new, severe or worrying symptoms, speak to your GP, call NHS 111 or, in an emergency, call 999.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Can massage prevent migraines?
Current evidence is not strong enough to say that massage prevents migraine. It may help some people manage accompanying tension or relax between episodes.
Should I have a massage during a migraine?
It depends on your usual symptoms and preferences. Light, sound, scent or touch may feel worse during an attack, so postponing can be sensible.
Which massage is best for tension headaches?
A gentle head, neck and shoulder treatment may be comfortable, but no one style has been proven best and recurrent headaches should be assessed.
Can a therapist diagnose the cause of my headache?
No. A massage therapist can discuss muscular tension but cannot diagnose a headache or migraine condition.
Written by Jodi
Jodi is the massage and holistic therapist behind The Reset Room Glasgow, with an HND in Complementary Therapies, a BSc in Integrative Health Care and more than ten years’ experience. Meet Jodi
