Tension Headache Relief: How Massage Therapy Works

When your tension headache, a type of headache caused by muscle tightness in the neck, scalp, and shoulders. Also known as stress headache, it’s not just a bad day—it’s your body screaming for release. Most people reach for painkillers, but those only mask the problem. The real fix? Releasing the knots in your neck and shoulders that pull your head into pain. This isn’t guesswork. It’s biology. When you’re stressed, your muscles stay clenched. That constant tension presses on nerves, cuts off blood flow, and turns a simple headache into a daily struggle.

Massage therapy, a hands-on approach to relaxing muscles, improving circulation, and calming the nervous system. Also known as therapeutic touch, it’s one of the few treatments that actually targets the root of tension headaches—not just the symptom. Studies show that regular massage reduces cortisol, the stress hormone that keeps your muscles locked up. It also boosts serotonin and endorphins, which naturally dull pain. But not all massages are the same. A body to body massage, a therapeutic technique where the therapist uses their own body to apply slow, warm pressure. Also known as skin-to-skin massage, it’s especially effective because the warmth and rhythm mimic comforting human touch—something your nervous system craves when it’s stuck in fight-or-flight mode. This isn’t about romance. It’s about safety. When your body feels safe, it lets go. And that’s when the headache starts to fade.

Head massage alone helps too. Rubbing your scalp, temples, and neck for just 10 minutes can lower muscle tension and improve blood flow to your brain. But if your tension starts in your shoulders and climbs up, you need more than just a head rub. You need a full-body reset. That’s where body-to-body massage shines. It doesn’t just touch your head—it unwinds the whole chain of tension from your lower back up to your forehead.

If you’ve tried stretching, foam rolling, or even acupuncture and still get headaches, it’s not you—it’s the approach. You need something that meets your body where it is: tight, tired, and overwhelmed. Massage therapy, especially body-to-body, doesn’t force change. It invites it. And that makes all the difference.

Below, you’ll find real guides from therapists in Amsterdam who’ve helped hundreds of people break the cycle of tension headaches. From how to choose the right type of massage, to what to expect in your first session, to why some techniques work better than others—this collection gives you the clear, no-fluff facts you need to finally feel relief.