Massage for Headaches & Migraines
in Longmont, CO
Thoughtful massage for head, neck, jaw, and shoulder tension.
When headaches keep returning, it can feel like the tension extends far beyond your head.
Tightness through the neck and shoulders, tension at the base of the skull, jaw clenching, stress, posture, and long hours at a computer can all contribute to patterns of muscular tension around the head and neck.
My approach to massage for headaches and migraines combines focused therapeutic work with slower, grounding massage to address areas of tension while giving your nervous system an opportunity to settle.
Massage isn't a cure for every headache or migraine. But when muscular tension and stress are part of what you're experiencing, bodywork may provide another avenue for support.
Can Massage Help With Headaches?
For some people, yes. Headaches can have many different causes, and massage isn't appropriate as a treatment for all of them.
However, muscular tension through the neck, shoulders, jaw, temples, and base of the skull can sometimes contribute to or accompany recurring headaches.
Therapeutic massage can work directly with these areas while also addressing some of the broader tension you may be carrying throughout your body.
Rather than assuming where your headache is coming from, we'll begin by talking about what you've been experiencing and any patterns you've noticed.
Massage for Tension Headaches
Tension-type headaches are often experienced as pressure, tightness, or aching around the head and may occur alongside tension through the neck and shoulders.
When muscular tension appears to be part of the picture, massage may focus on areas such as the:
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Neck and shoulders
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Upper back
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Base of the skull
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Scalp
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Temples
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Jaw and face
My approach isn't simply to apply deeper pressure to every tight muscle. I tend to work slowly and intentionally, using therapeutic techniques where appropriate while allowing time for your body to respond.
Sometimes relieving tension is less about asking the body to let go and more about creating an environment where it has an opportunity to.
What About Migraines?
Migraines are different from ordinary tension headaches.
Migraine is a neurological condition that can involve significant head pain as well as symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light, sound, movement, or other sensory input.
Massage doesn't cure migraine or address every factor involved in a migraine attack.
However, some people who experience migraines also carry significant muscular tension through the neck, shoulders, jaw, and head. Stress may also be one of several factors associated with their migraine patterns.
For those clients, massage can be used as a complementary form of care focused on muscular tension, relaxation, and overall well-being.
If you live with migraines, we'll talk about what massage has felt like for you in the past and adapt the environment and session to your comfort.
The Head, Neck & Jaw Are Connected
Where you feel pain isn't always the only place worth paying attention to.
Tension through the upper back and shoulders can extend into the neck. Small muscles around the base of the skull can become sensitive and restricted. Jaw clenching can create tension through the face and temples.
That's why a massage focused on recurring headaches may involve much more than massaging your scalp.
Depending on what you're experiencing, we may work with your:
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Upper back and shoulders
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Neck
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Base of the skull
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Scalp and temples
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Jaw and face
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Chest and surrounding areas when appropriate
The goal is to look at the larger pattern rather than chasing one painful spot.
Jaw Tension, Clenching & Headaches
The jaw is particularly important when we're talking about recurring tension around the head.
Frequent clenching or grinding can place significant demand on muscles of the jaw, face, temples, and neck.
Some people don't even realize they're clenching until they begin noticing a tired jaw, facial tension, neck discomfort, or headaches.
I have specialized training in neuromuscular approaches to TMJ dysfunction and can incorporate focused jaw work when it seems relevant to what you're experiencing.
If jaw tension is one of your primary concerns, you can learn more about TMJ & Jaw Pain Massage.
What to Expect From Your Massage
1. We'll talk about your headaches.
Before beginning, I'll ask about what you've been experiencing, where you typically feel your headaches, how often they occur, and whether you've noticed any patterns involving your neck, shoulders, jaw, work, movement, or stress.
If you've been diagnosed with migraine or another headache disorder, you're welcome to share any information that may help me understand your experience.
2. We'll decide where to focus.
Depending on what you're experiencing, we may spend more time working with the neck and shoulders, base of the skull, jaw, scalp, upper back, or other related areas.
We can also incorporate this focused work into a more complete full-body massage.
3. I'll adapt the massage to you.
Your session may incorporate neuromuscular therapy, trigger point therapy, myofascial techniques, deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, and slower relaxation-focused work.
Pressure and technique can be adjusted throughout the session based on your comfort and how your body responds.
4. We'll keep the environment comfortable.
If you're sensitive to light, sound, positioning, temperature, or other sensory input, please tell me.
Small changes to the massage environment can make a meaningful difference in your comfort.
Stress & the Nervous System
Sometimes the pattern isn't simply muscular.
You may notice your shoulders creeping upward when you're working. Your jaw tightening while concentrating. Your breath becoming shallow during a stressful day.
And sometimes you don't notice any of it until your head starts hurting.
This is one reason my approach combines focused therapeutic massage with slower, relaxing bodywork.
We can address the muscles that feel tight while also giving your whole system an opportunity to slow down.
Therapeutic massage and relaxation don't have to be two separate things.
Do I Need to Book a Special Headache Massage?
No. Simply book a Custom Therapeutic Massage and let me know that headaches or migraines are one of the primary reasons you're coming in.
We'll talk about what you've been experiencing when you arrive and determine how we'd like to use the session.
You don't need to diagnose the source of your headaches or choose the correct massage technique beforehand.
That's part of the conversation we'll have together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can massage get rid of a headache?
It depends on the headache and what's contributing to it.
When muscular tension through the neck, shoulders, jaw, or head is involved, massage may help reduce that tension and may provide relief for some people.
However, headaches have many possible causes, and massage isn't a treatment for every type of headache.
What's the difference between a tension headache and a migraine?
Tension-type headaches and migraines are different headache disorders.
Tension headaches are commonly associated with pressure or aching around the head and may occur alongside neck and shoulder tension.
Migraine is a neurological condition that can involve more intense head pain along with symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light, sound, or movement.
If you're unsure what type of headaches you're experiencing, diagnosis is outside the scope of massage therapy and is best discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.
Can massage help migraines?
Massage doesn't cure migraine. Some people with migraines, however, also experience muscular tension, stress, jaw clenching, or neck and shoulder discomfort.
Massage may provide complementary support by addressing those aspects of their experience.
Should I get a massage during a migraine?
That depends on the person.
Some people find gentle touch or massage comforting during certain stages of a migraine, while others become highly sensitive to touch, movement, sound, or other stimulation and would rather not receive massage at all.
If you're actively experiencing a migraine, we can discuss how you're feeling and whether receiving massage seems appropriate and comfortable for you that day.
Can jaw tension cause headaches?
Tension and overuse of muscles around the jaw can sometimes be associated with pain or tension around the temples, face, head, and neck.
If clenching or jaw tension is a significant part of what you're experiencing, focused TMJ massage may be incorporated into your session.
How much pressure do you use around the neck and head?
Whatever is appropriate for the area we're working with and comfortable for you.
The small muscles around the head, jaw, and upper neck don't necessarily benefit from aggressive pressure.
I tend to work slowly and precisely rather than assuming deeper is always better.
How many sessions will I need?
There isn't a predetermined number. If massage seems helpful for what you're experiencing, we can pay attention to how long the effects last and decide together whether another session makes sense.
I don't require clients to commit to a treatment package or predetermined schedule.
When Should I See My Doctor About a Headache?
Massage is complementary care and isn't a substitute for appropriate medical evaluation.
If you're experiencing a new, sudden, unusually severe, or significantly different headache, or a headache associated with concerning neurological or other symptoms, seek appropriate medical care rather than assuming the cause is muscular tension.
Likewise, recurring or worsening headaches that haven't been evaluated may warrant a conversation with your healthcare provider.
When massage is appropriate, I'm happy to work alongside the care you're already receiving.
Relief Doesn't Always Require More Pressure
When your head hurts, it's understandable to want someone to find the tight spot and make it go away.
Sometimes focused therapeutic work is exactly what feels helpful.
Other times, the body needs something quieter.
My approach makes room for both—working intentionally with the muscles of the neck, shoulders, jaw, and head while also creating an opportunity for your whole system to slow down.
You don't have to know which one you need before you arrive.
We'll start there together.
Massage for headaches and migraines is available in Longmont, Colorado, serving clients from Berthoud, Longmont, and surrounding Northern Colorado communities.