Conditions We Treat
Massage for Headaches & Migraine-Related Tension in NYC
Recurring tension headaches or migraines can create a cycle of neck tension, jaw tightness, shoulder strain, and overall stress that makes each episode feel worse than the last. Our licensed medical massage therapists help reduce the tension patterns that build up around migraines, making episodes less frequent, less severe, and easier to recover from.
- Available in FiDi & Midtown West – open 7 days a week
Causes
What’s Going On With Headaches & Migraines?
- Tension-type headaches are the most common headache disorder worldwide, affecting ~20% of adults at any time and up to 75% over a lifetime. Migraines affect ~12% and are the second leading cause of disability globally (StatPearls–NIH 2024; StatPearls–NIH 2024).
- Tension headaches come from muscle tightness and massage can directly ease them by releasing tension in the head, neck, jaw, chest, and back.
- Migraines, however, are a neurological condition. Massage does not treat the migraine itself but does help with the muscle tension migraines create.
- Migraines often lead to neck tightness, jaw clenching, shoulder guarding, scalp tension, and rib/diaphragm restriction.
- This creates a cycle: each episode adds more muscle tension, lowering the trigger threshold.
- Reducing these tension patterns can help raise that threshold, making migraines less frequent and less intense.
At Bodyworks DW, we target the tension patterns surrounding migraines—neck, jaw, temples, shoulders, ribs, and upper back—to improve comfort and help reduce future attacks.
Related conditions: See TMJ Pain, Neck Pain, and Shoulder Pain
How we treat
How Bodyworks DW Treats Headache & Migraine-Related Tension
Headache and migraine-related tension often comes from tight neck, jaw, shoulder, and rib muscles which fascially weave up and into the head and face—not just the head and face muscles themselves. Anatomy Plate (Sobotta, 1909)
Whole-Body Evaluation
We assess neck mobility, jaw mechanics, shoulder tension, rib motion, breathing patterns, and forearm/hand tension to understand the full pattern contributing to your headaches.
Targeted Myofascial & Deep Tissue Work for Relief
Session 1 includes work on neck muscles (suboccipitals, scalenes, SCM), jaw muscles (masseter, temporalis), shoulders, upper back, and arms/forearms. We also incorporate rib and diaphragm work to reduce strain from restricted breathing mechanics.
Raising Your Migraine Threshold
By reducing accumulated muscular and fascial tension, we increase the amount of day-to-day stressors or triggers your body can tolerate before a migraine begins.
Jaw & TMJ Support
Many headache clients benefit from targeted jaw work, including external masseter/temporalis release, optional intra-oral pterygoid work, and upper-neck decompression.
Progressive Plan That Builds on Each Session
As tension decreases, we integrate ribs, hips, breathing mechanics, and arm swing patterns to support long-term ease.
What to Expect
A Progressive Plan
Session 1
Decompress neck and jaw tension, release shoulder and rib restrictions, and address forearm tightness that often reinforces neck strain.
Sessions 2–4
Build on neck, jaw, and shoulder relief while integrating rib mobility and breathing patterns to reduce trigger sensitivity.
Sessions 5–8+
Reinforce whole-body alignment—from ribs and shoulders through arms, hips, and feet—to maintain a higher migraine threshold and help reduce recurrence.
Ready to start feeling better?
Book a session
Care
Home Care That Helps Between Sessions
We’ll teach simple, effective strategies such as:
- Jaw relaxation drills
- Gentle suboccipital release techniques
- Non-forced breathing resets
- Shoulder and upper-back mobility drills
- Forearm opening to reduce neck/jaw reinforcement
For example, here’s a helpful video with a series of great neck stretches for quick relief:
Testimonial
What Our Clients Say
Pricing & wellness wallets
Book now. Pay after.
Save up to 25%.
Pay after your session—no prepay.
New here? Select “New Client Massage” to get $25 off your first visit.
Add a Wellness Wallet before your first session or within 7 days after to get up to 25% bonus credit.
START HERE
Book your session
No prepay—card on file to hold; pay after your session.
New here? Choose “New Client Massage” when booking to get $25 off your first visit.
Senior Therapist
Lead Therapist
Owner
60 minutes
$160
/ with Senior Therapist
90 minutes
$230
/ with Senior Therapist
Want extra savings?
Save with Wellness Wallets
Buy before your first session or within 7 days after and we’ll add bonus credit you can use at either studio with any therapist.
$800
Get $160 bonus
20% bonus credit
$1400
Get $350 bonus
25% bonus credit
$5000
Get $1000 bonus
20% bonus credit
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch
Can massage treat migraines directly?
No. Migraines are neurological. But massage can dramatically reduce the tension patterns that lower your threshold and make migraines more frequent or severe.
Why does my jaw get tight when I get headaches?
Migraine-related tension often activates the jaw and neck musculature, leading to clenching, grinding, or reduced jaw mobility.
Do I need imaging before receiving massage?
No. Under NYS Title VIII licensure (see NY Board of Education FAQ #28), massage therapists can assess whether your symptoms are safe for massage. We refer out only when necessary.
What makes Bodyworks DW’s approach different?
We treat neck, jaw, shoulders, ribs, breathing mechanics, and even arms/forearms to unwind the patterns that accumulate around migraines—not just the head itself.
How many sessions will I need?
Most clients feel noticeable improvement in 1–3 sessions, with deeper changes over 5–8 sessions as the tension cycle resets.
Are there precautions for headache-related massage?
Yes. Acute migraine episodes with neurological symptoms, dizziness, or vision changes require caution. We adjust pressure and positioning based on your sensitivity.
Full list: NYS Massage Therapy Precautions