Four headache patterns
Tension-type headache: often described as a pressing or tightening sensation, commonly on both sides. Neck and shoulder discomfort may occur too.
Migraine: can involve throbbing pain, often on one side, although location can vary. A description alone is not enough for diagnosis.
Sinus-related pain: the Thai article describes pressure around the forehead, cheeks or eyes, sometimes worse when bending. Facial pain is not always caused by sinus disease.
Cluster headache: typically involves severe one-sided pain around an eye in repeated attacks. Seek clinical assessment rather than treating this as an ordinary muscle headache.
Thai traditional medicine explains some headache symptoms through wind and fire. These are traditional interpretations. Massage may be considered for comfort in selected people after assessment, but evidence does not establish it as a treatment for every headache type.
Get urgent medical help for a sudden extremely severe headache, new weakness, speech or vision problems, confusion, or a headache with other alarming symptoms. Do not wait for a massage session.
Neck and shoulder muscles discussed in the article
Trapezius: neck and shoulder tension may accompany head discomfort
Sternocleidomastoid: a neck muscle considered during assessment
Suboccipital muscles: small muscles at the base of the skull
Semispinalis capitis: a muscle at the back of the neck
Splenius cervicis: part of the neck muscle group
