Neck & Shoulder Tension and Headaches — How Remedial Massage Can Help

If you’ve ever noticed a headache that starts at the base of your skull and slowly wraps around your head, there’s a good chance it’s linked to tension in your neck and shoulders. This type of discomfort is commonly known as a tension headache, and it’s something I see often with clients seeking remedial massage in Wanneroo.

Long hours at a desk, repetitive work, emotional stress, poor sleep positions, or even holding your body rigid throughout the day can all contribute to tight, overloaded muscles in the neck and upper back. When these tissues become irritated or fatigued, the tension can refer upward, creating a dull, pressure-like or band‑style headache.

Why Tension Headaches Happen

Your neck, shoulders, and upper back play a huge role in supporting your head and posture throughout the day. When these muscles are under constant load, they can lose their ability to relax fully.

Common contributors include:

• Prolonged sitting or desk work

• Limited movement or holding one position for too long

• Stress and emotional load (often carried in the shoulders and jaw)

• Sleeping positions that strain the neck

• Jaw clenching or teeth grinding

  
  

Over time, this ongoing muscle tension can irritate surrounding structures and reduce comfortable movement, setting the stage for recurring headaches.

How Remedial Massage Can Help

Remedial massage aims to support your body by reducing muscle tension, improving circulation, and restoring more comfortable movement.

During a session, I work gently and deliberately through the neck, shoulders, and upper back, adjusting pressure based on what your body responds to best. The goal isn’t to “force” muscles to release, but to encourage them to soften and settle.

Many clients notice that when their neck and shoulders feel freer and less guarded, their headaches:

• Feel less intense

• Occur less frequently

• Settle more quickly when they do appear

  
  

Massage can also help you become more aware of where you hold tension, which is an important step in preventing headaches from returning.

Simple Things You Can Do At Home

Small, consistent habits can make a meaningful difference alongside massage care:

• Take movement breaks if you sit or stand for long periods. Even a minute or two helps.

• Gently move your neck and upper back through comfortable ranges rather than forcing stretches.

• Apply heat to tight areas to encourage relaxation.

• Notice jaw clenching or shoulder hunching, especially during stressful moments.

• Vary your posture throughout the day rather than trying to hold one “perfect” position.

When to Seek Extra Support

If headaches are frequent, worsening, or accompanied by other symptoms such as dizziness, visual changes, or nerve pain, it’s important to speak with your GP or health professional. Remedial massage works best as part of a supportive, well‑rounded approach to care.

Gentle, targeted massage can help ease tension in your neck and shoulders, which may help reduce the impact of tension-related headaches over time.

You may also find it helpful to read our upcoming blogs Stress and Muscle Tension blog or Stretching & Mobility Tips blog. Curious about what to expect in a session, visit our FAQ page or book a remedial massage session when you’re ready.

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