Headaches after massage: Why they happen and what to do

Massage aims to relieve tension and loosen muscles, but a potential side effect for some people is a headache. Several factors might contribute to this.

A 2018 review shows some evidence for the benefits of massage therapy in healthcare. Massage therapy may be beneficial for pain relief and reducing anxiety, depression, and stress.

Massage has a low risk of harmful effects. However, some people may experience headaches following a massage. These may be tension headaches, as these are the most common type of headaches.

This article examines the most likely causes of headaches after a massage, symptoms, treatments, preventive measures, and frequently asked questions.

There are a variety of reasons why a headache may develop following a massage. Some may result from the type of massage, but external factors can also cause headaches.

A headache after a massage may be a dull, achy pain in the head, with muscle tenderness in the scalp, neck, or shoulders. These symptoms are common in tension headaches.

If the smell of oils has triggered a migraine, a person may experience moderate to severe pain, dizziness, and sensitivity to light, among other symptoms.

According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), if a person experiences postural hypotension after a massage, they may experience dizziness, weakness, fatigue, and pain in the neck and shoulders.

The best treatment for headaches after massage therapy may depend on the other symptoms a person has.

If dizziness accompanies the headache after a massage, a person may benefit from resting for a short while following the massage until the dizziness passes.

The AMF recommends a combination of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief, rest, and drinking water to combat headaches. A person may benefit from this treatment if factors including tension, dehydration, or overpowering smells cause their headache.

Applying a cold compress to the forehead and massaging the temples may also relieve pain in the head after a massage.

A person can take several steps in advance to reduce their risk of experiencing a headache after massage, including:

Below are some frequently asked questions about massage and headaches.

The length of a headache after a deep tissue massage may vary depending on the type of headache a person experiences.

For example, tension headaches typically do not last long, but some last longer. On average, they last about 30 minutes to a week.

If a massage has triggered a migraine, this can last from a few hours to days.

People can treat these headaches with good hydration and OTC pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.

A person can also try applying a cold compress to the forehead and massaging the temples.

Some people may experience headaches after a massage. It can result from dehydration, sensitivity to scents or environmental factors, muscle tension, or blood pressure changes.

This headache usually presents as a dull, achy pain with possible muscle tenderness in the shoulders, neck, or scalp.

Treatments for headaches after a massage may include getting rest, drinking water, using ice packs, massaging the temples, applying a cold compress to the forehead, and using OTC medications — including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.