Tension Headaches: How Massage Therapy Can Help You Find Relief
By Jessica Johns, Massage Therapist
Introduction
If you’ve ever felt that tight band of pressure across your forehead or behind your eyes after a long day, you’re not alone. Tension headaches are one of the most common types of headaches, often linked to stress, poor posture, and muscle tightness.
While painkillers may bring temporary relief, they don’t always address the root cause. That’s where massage therapy for tension headaches comes in — offering a natural, effective way to ease discomfort, relax muscles, and help you get back to feeling your best.
What Are Tension Headaches?
Tension headaches (sometimes called “stress headaches”) are usually described as a dull, aching pain that:
Feels like pressure or tightness around the head and temples
Often starts in the neck, shoulders, or jaw and travels upward
May worsen with stress, poor posture, lack of sleep, or too much screen time
Although tension headaches aren’t usually dangerous, they can become chronic and disruptive, affecting productivity, mood, and overall quality of life.
How Massage Therapy Helps with Tension Headaches
Massage therapy is a gentle, hands-on treatment that works directly with your body’s soft tissues to relieve muscle tension and encourage relaxation. For tension headaches, massage focuses on the neck, shoulders, scalp, and jaw — all areas where tight muscles often contribute to pain.
Some of the ways massage can help include:
Releasing tight muscles: Loosens stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and scalp.
Improving circulation: Enhances blood flow and oxygen delivery to tense areas.
Promoting relaxation: Reduces stress hormones while boosting endorphins and serotonin.
Reducing headache frequency: Regular treatments can decrease how often headaches occur.
What the Research Says
Science backs up what many patients already know — massage therapy works.
A study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that massage significantly reduced both the frequency and intensity of tension headaches.
Research in the International Journal of Neuroscience showed participants had fewer headaches, shorter duration, and improved sleep after massage treatment.
Reviews also show that massage helps reduce stress and anxiety, both common triggers for tension headaches.
Benefits of Massage for Tension Headaches
Here’s why massage therapy is worth considering if you regularly suffer from headaches:
Muscle Relaxation – Targets and eases the muscle tightness that causes pain.
Improved Circulation – Boosts oxygen and nutrients to help muscles recover faster.
Stress Relief – Lowers stress hormones, improves sleep, and calms the nervous system.
Natural & Non-Invasive – A safe, drug-free way to manage ongoing headaches.
Tension headaches may be common, but they don’t have to control your life. Massage therapy offers a natural, proven way to reduce pain, relax your body, and improve your overall well-being.
At Momentum Health & Chiro, our massage therapists work alongside our chiropractors to create tailored treatment plans that address both the symptoms and root causes of your headaches. Whether you need short-term relief or long-term management, we’re here to help.
