What is going on
Tension-type headaches and cervicogenic headaches — those referred from the neck — respond to hands-on work because the tissue generating them is reachable: the suboccipitals at the base of the skull, the upper trapezius, the scalenes and the jaw muscles. Migraine is a different condition, but many patients with migraine also carry neck tension that adds to their overall load.
How massage therapy is commonly used
Treatment addresses the neck, upper back, scalp and jaw, and typically includes specific work on the suboccipital muscles. Patients commonly report fewer headache days and less intensity over a course of care.
We ask you to note what preceded each headache — sleep, screen hours, caffeine, stress, the dry Kamloops summer and hydration. Patterns show up quickly on paper and rarely in memory.
What to expect over a course of care
A reasonable trial is three to four appointments across four to six weeks with a headache diary. If nothing has changed by then, we say so and suggest revisiting the question with your physician.