Tension Headaches and Massage: A Different Approach
By Josh Kennedy, RMT, July 11, 2026
Tension headaches are commonly driven by overloaded muscles in the neck and at the base of the skull. But those muscles are usually tightening in response to dysfunction further down, in the shoulders and hips, so treating the whole chain gives longer-lasting relief than working on the neck alone. LYKE Massage treats this with mobile, in-home RMT sessions across Durham Region, Ontario.
Why would my hips matter for a headache?
Because tension travels up the chain. In one case from my own treatment history, a client dealing with headaches had a heavy concentration of tension around the glutes and piriformis. Once that area released, the tension reduced through their head, shoulders, and arms. Not every headache traces that far down, but it shows why a session that only works the neck can miss the actual driver entirely.
What does a massage session for tension headaches involve?
Assessment first, then work that usually starts below the neck: hips, torso, and shoulders before the neck and the base of the skull are treated directly. Addressing the neck before the structures loading it tends to produce shorter-lasting results. The jaw muscles are also checked, since they are commonly overworked and sit right in the middle of the head and neck tension picture.
Where can I read the full explanation?
This is the short version. The longer piece, Headaches and a Stiff Neck: The Surprising Role of Your Hips and Shoulders, walks through how tension travels from the hips and shoulders up to the head, and what treatment looks like step by step.
Frequent tension headaches?
Chronic Pain Massage starts with your case history, including how often the headaches happen and what makes them worse. In-home sessions across Whitby, Brooklin, and the rest of Durham Region.
Frequently asked questions
What causes a tension headache?
Tension headaches are commonly linked to tight muscles in the neck, shoulders, and jaw. But those muscles are often tightening in response to dysfunction further down the body, in the shoulders and hips, which is why treating the neck alone rarely gives lasting relief.
Can massage actually help tension headaches?
For many people, yes. Releasing tightness in the neck, upper back, and jaw can ease the frequency and intensity of tension headaches, though results vary by person and by cause.
Is this the same as the headaches article that talks about hips and shoulders?
It's related but shorter. Our longer piece, Headaches and a Stiff Neck: The Surprising Role of Your Hips and Shoulders, goes into why the pattern often starts further down the body. This page is the quick version.
How is a tension headache different from a migraine?
Tension headaches are usually described as a dull, band-like pressure around the head, without the nausea or light sensitivity common in migraines. If your headaches involve those additional symptoms, see a physician for a proper diagnosis first.
What should I expect from a massage session aimed at headaches?
Work usually starts below the neck, with the hips, torso, and shoulders, before the neck and the base of the skull are treated directly. Addressing the neck before the structures loading it tends to produce shorter-lasting results. The jaw muscles are also checked, since they are commonly overworked.
Questions about your condition?
Book a session - we assess before we treat. Insurance receipts provided.