Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooMigraine

Migraine is not the same thing as a cervicogenic headache, which is a separate type of headache that comes from the neck. A stiff neck can, however, be one of the early symptoms at the start of a migraine attack (NHS, 2026).

You're more likely to get migraine if a close family member has it, and women are more likely to get migraine than men (NHS, 2026).

Hormonal changes can also play a part. Attacks that happen just before or during a period (menstrual migraines) are often longer and more severe. In women, migraine often gets better after the menopause (NHS, 2026).

Some people find certain triggers can cause migraine attacks, such as having a period, anxiety and depression, stress and tiredness, skipping meals or not eating regularly, too much caffeine, and not getting enough regular exercise (NHS, 2026). Other things some people find can set off an attack include alcohol, glaring lights, strong smells and cigarette smoke. Keeping a migraine diary can help you work out what might trigger your attacks, and avoiding your triggers can help many people (NHS, 2026).

1. Manual Therapy

Osteopaths, chiropractors and soft tissue therapists see many people with migraine, but there is a lack of robust clinical trials showing that manual therapy prevents migraine, and it is not one of the treatments listed by the NHS or NICE. Some people find hands-on treatment relaxing and feel generally better afterwards, and relaxation techniques are one of the things the NHS lists to help prevent migraine attacks (NHS, 2026). Manual therapy is less likely to help when migraines are triggered by emotional factors, psychological illness or food, unless I take a holistic approach to your treatment.

2. Lifestyle

Eating meals at regular times, staying well hydrated, limiting how much caffeine and alcohol you drink, keeping to a healthy weight and getting plenty of sleep can all help you manage migraine (NHS, 2026).

3. Pain Relief Medication

Migraine cannot be cured, but treatment can help manage the symptoms of an attack and help prevent attacks (NHS, 2026). The NHS says painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol can help with the symptoms of a migraine attack, and that they should be taken as soon as the headache starts (NHS, 2026). (This medicine information comes from the NHS, not from me. Always check with a pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner before taking any medicine.)

Try not to take painkillers for more than 2 days a week, as this can cause you to get more headaches and make migraine harder to treat. This is known as medication overuse headache (NHS, 2026; National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2012). Speak to your family doctor or nurse practitioner if you need to take painkillers often.

4. Regular Exercise

Not getting enough regular exercise is a common trigger, so getting regular exercise is one of the things the NHS recommends to help manage migraine (NHS, 2026). I can help you find an activity that suits you.

5. Relaxation

Relaxation techniques and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT, a talking therapy) are listed by the NHS as treatments that can help prevent migraine attacks, and trying to manage your stress can help too (NHS, 2026). Reflexology, massage and other relaxing therapies may help you relax, although they have not been shown to prevent migraine.

Options outside my scope

• Triptans and gepants: prescription medicines used to treat the symptoms of a migraine attack (NHS, 2026).
• Anti-sickness medicines: medicines that stop you feeling or being sick during an attack (NHS, 2026).
• Preventive medicines: medicines such as beta blockers, some antidepressants and some medicines for epilepsy can help prevent migraine attacks (NHS, 2026).
• Vitamin B2: listed by the NHS as one of the treatments to help prevent migraine attacks (NHS, 2026).
• Acupuncture: a treatment using fine needles, which the NHS and NICE list as an option for preventing migraine (NHS, 2026; National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2012).

If none of these treatments help or your symptoms are getting worse, you may be referred to a specialist (NHS, 2026).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

The emergency signs in When to Get Help need 911 or the emergency room, not massage.