Migraine headaches (as well as a myriad of other headaches) are quite responsive to certain types of therapeutic massage. The migraine usually originates from dilation and spasms of the blood vessels in the head, more precisely in the occipital region of the brain. These events in turn cause pain usually over an eye or behind an eye and almost always on one side of the head or face.

Often these headaches are preceded by visual distortions (referred to as the aura) and are accompanied by nausea. Sometimes the pain extends (refers) into the jaw and ear so that the whole side of the face is tender to the touch.

Gentler massage approaches, such as facilitated stretching and myofascial release and craniosacral techniques, are often effective in breaking the pain cycle of the headaches. In fact regular massage can help decrease the frequency and intensity of headaches.