What should you know about acupressure massage for headache?

Gentle massage may relax tight muscles around the temples, scalp, jaw, neck, or shoulders. Some people find this reduces a tension-type headache. Relief is not proof of the cause, and massage does not treat infections, dehydration, heat illness, or other medical problems that can produce head pain.

Headache can accompany nasal congestion, a cold, sinus symptoms, stress, poor sleep, missed meals, or too little fluid. A new pattern can also have a more serious cause. Fever, recent travel, a rash, repeated vomiting, or exposure to intense heat changes what assessment is needed.

Sit somewhere quiet, relax your jaw and shoulders, and use light circular pressure with clean fingertips. Stop if pain, dizziness, visual symptoms, nausea, or scalp tenderness increases. Drink fluids if you may be dehydrated, rest, and follow the label or clinician’s advice for any pain medicine. Avoid forceful pressure over an injury, inflamed skin, or the front of the neck.

Get urgent help for a sudden explosive headache, a headache after a significant head injury, weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, fainting, a stiff neck with fever, new vision loss, or persistent vomiting. Seek prompt review if headaches are becoming more frequent or are unlike your usual pattern.

Does my pattern fit a tension-type headache or another cause? Which symptoms should make me stop self-care, and are there medicines or pressure points I should avoid with my health conditions?