When your head is throbbing from migraine pain, could a head massage offer relief?

A head massage at the salon or spa can feel soothing and relaxing. If you have migraine, this type of massage might also be helpful for easing tension and pain during episodes.

Migraine causes a painful, throbbing type of headache that affects more than 39 million Americans. These headaches can be severe and sometimes debilitating, even if you only get them once in a while.

Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), triptans, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptors can help stop or reduce migraine symptoms when they strike. However, complementary therapies like massage can be another option to offer relief from migraine pain.

The exact benefits of massage can vary from person to person.

Studies of head massage for migraine have been low quality and had conflicting results. Plus, massage is often investigated in combination with other treatments, making it hard for researchers to determine whether massage or another treatment used is responsible for relief.

But it may still be worth a shot to try massage for migraine relief. Here’s what to know before you get started.

Three forms of massage have been studied for migraine relief:

  • Connective tissue massage: With this method, the therapist applies gentle pressure to the head and neck to relieve pain.
  • Trigger point massage: With this method, the therapist gently presses on the specific points that are causing head pain.
  • Facial proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation: With this method, the therapist uses gentle resistance while guiding you through specific facial movements.

A 2023 review of seven randomized controlled trials of nondrug migraine treatments found that connective tissue massage helped reduce headache pain intensity.

In a 2022 study, 40 people with chronic migraine were split evenly into 2 groups. The study compared connective tissue massage with facial proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Each group received one of these treatments three times a week. After 6 weeks, people in both groups experienced similar improvements in migraine pain.

Some massage therapists add aromatherapy to the treatment. In a small 2024 study, participants who received a head massage using lavender and peppermint essential oils reported improvements in migraine pain and quality of life compared to the control group.

A trained massage therapist can give you a head massage. However, if a migraine strikes and you need quick relief, another option is to give yourself a head massage at home.

Dehydration can trigger a migraine attack. Drinking water may help to reduce the intensity and length of migraine symptoms.

You may choose to sit in a comfortable chair, on pillows on the floor, or lay down on couch or a bed. Choose a location where you feel relaxed.

Place the pads of your thumbs under your eyebrow bone, against the bridge of your nose. Gently press up and inward. Hold this position for 10 seconds while you breathe deeply. Take a break. Then repeat up to five times for relief.

Place the middle three fingers of each hand on your temples. Gently massage your temples in a circular motion for 10 seconds at a time using steady pressure.

Using your pointer finger and thumb, gently squeeze the segment of your eyebrows that’s closest to your nose. Hold for a few seconds. Gradually move your fingers to the outside of your eyebrows, squeezing and holding for a few seconds as you move outward.

Place your index finger on the inside of your mouth and your thumb on the outside of your cheek. Press your fingers together to gently squeeze the jaw muscle.

This technique helps relieve pressure in your jaw. It’s especially helpful if grinding your teeth is contributing to your migraine pain.

Place one hand on your head to support it, and gently bend your head forward. Hold the position for 10 seconds. This will help to release tension in your neck.

Massage moves fluid and potential toxins out of your muscle tissue and into your bloodstream. From there it heads to your kidneys, where your body removes it as waste.

Staying hydrated helps flush toxins from the body and replenish lost fluid. It can also promote recovery after a massage.

Medications are the main treatment for migraine, but a head massage can be a helpful add-on to find relief when symptoms strike. You can see a professional massage therapist or give yourself a head massage at home.

For a DIY approach, applying gentle pressure to specific points can help ease tension and pain. Drinking water before and after each massage can also help alleviate symptoms and promote recovery.

If massage isn’t enough to relieve migraine pain, talk with your primary care doctor or headache specialist about other treatment options to try.