Massage for Headaches & Migraines in Seattle

Most people who get regular headaches assume they just have to manage them with medication. But a large percentage of headaches, including tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, and many migraines, have a muscular component that improves with massage therapy. Tension headaches feel like a band of pressure around the head. Cervicogenic headaches originate in the neck and refer pain into the head, usually on one side. Migraines are more complex and involve neurological factors, but muscle tension in the neck and shoulders is a well-documented trigger. If your headaches come with neck stiffness, jaw clenching, or shoulder tension, there’s a good chance that targeted bodywork can reduce how often they happen and how severe they are.

The muscles behind most headaches are the suboccipitals, upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid (SCM), temporalis, and masseter. The suboccipitals are four small muscles at the base of the skull that control fine head movements. When they’re chronically tight, which happens from forward head posture, screen time, and stress, they compress the greater occipital nerve and produce pain that wraps from the back of the head up and over to behind the eyes. The upper traps and SCM refer pain into the temples, forehead, and behind the ears. The temporalis and masseter are jaw muscles that tighten from clenching and grinding, and they contribute to headaches that center around the temples and sides of the head. These muscles don’t exist in isolation. They form a network of tension that feeds on itself.

Joey Babauta has particular expertise in treating cervicogenic and neurogenic headaches. Their approach combines trigger point therapy with neuromuscular techniques that address the nerve involvement directly. Cervicogenic headaches improve quickly with this kind of work because the pain originates from specific structures in the upper cervical spine and the muscles that attach to them. By releasing the suboccipitals, upper cervical paraspinals, and the deep neck flexors, it’s possible to cut headache frequency down noticeably, sometimes after just a few sessions. For neurogenic headaches, the focus shifts to reducing nerve irritation and calming the nervous system’s pain response, which is where craniosacral therapy can be particularly effective.

During a headache-focused session, your therapist will work through the posterior neck, suboccipital region, upper shoulders, and often the jaw and temples. The work on the suboccipitals is precise. These are small muscles, and the therapist uses fingertip pressure held for sustained periods to encourage release. It can feel intense but should not be sharp or shooting. Work on the SCM and scalenes along the front and sides of the neck requires careful positioning and communication, as these areas can be sensitive. Many clients notice a reduction in headache intensity during the session itself. The jaw muscles are addressed with external work on the temporalis and masseter, which is especially relevant if you clench or grind your teeth.

For people dealing with chronic headaches, we typically recommend starting with weekly sessions for four to six weeks to break the cycle, then spacing out to every two to three weeks for maintenance. Headaches that have been building for months or years don’t resolve in a single visit. The muscles need consistent work to retrain. Between sessions, your therapist may suggest stretches for the neck and upper traps, postural adjustments for your workstation, and awareness of jaw clenching habits. If your headaches are accompanied by visual disturbances, sudden onset of the worst headache of your life, fever, or neurological symptoms like confusion or weakness, see a doctor immediately. For the recurring tension headaches and migraines that have become part of your weekly routine, that four-to-six-week initial series is the best way to find out how much relief is possible.