Is Your “Sinus Headache” Really Coming from Your Neck?

You know that throbbing ache that creeps across your forehead… or that heavy pressure behind your eyes that makes you want to crawl into a dark room? Most people assume it’s a sinus headache that will pass with time or medication.

But here’s the surprising truth: sometimes, the real culprit isn’t your sinuses at all. It might actually be a small but mighty neck muscle called the sternocleidomastoid (SCM).

Meet the SCM: The Hidden Source of Headaches

The SCM runs along the side of your neck and helps you turn and tilt your head. It also works overtime stabilizing your neck when you’re looking down at your phone, typing on a laptop, or even clenching your jaw.

When this muscle is stressed or overloaded, trigger points (knots in the muscle fibers) can develop. These trigger points don’t just stay put in your neck—they refer pain to other areas of your head and face.

That’s why SCM tension can mimic common headache symptoms:

• 👉 Forehead pain

• 👉 Temple throbbing

• 👉 Pressure behind or around the eyes

• 👉 Aches in the chin or jaw

So while you’re feeling the pain in your head, it may actually be starting in your neck.

Why Posture, Stress, and Jaw Clenching Matter

Think about how many hours a day you:

• Look down at your phone

• Hunch over your computer

• Carry stress in your shoulders

• Grind or clench your teeth

Each of these habits keeps your SCM working harder than it should, creating a cycle of tension and referred pain. This is why painkillers or sinus treatments don’t always work—they’re not addressing the root cause.

Massage for Headache and Neck Pain Relief

The good news? With the right massage techniques, we can calm those SCM trigger points, release muscle tension, and bring your head and neck back into balance.

The results often speak for themselves:

• ✅ Headaches that fade

• ✅ Less pressure behind the eyes

• ✅ Easier movement in your jaw and neck

Clients who come in for headache relief massage in San Diego are often surprised by how much better they feel once the SCM is addressed.

A Simple At-Home Release for the SCM

If you’ve been chasing relief with painkillers or sinus treatments without success, try giving your SCM some attention. In this video here, I share a quick self-massage technique you can use at home to catch neck tension before it snowballs into a full-blown headache: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrLvQbYPz50/

Even a few minutes of gentle release can make a big difference.

Don’t Settle for “Random” Headaches

Your body is always giving you signals, and pain is one of them. If your headaches keep coming back, it may be time to look deeper than the surface.

I help clients every week who thought they had “sinus headaches,” only to discover that releasing their SCM brought lasting relief.

If this sounds like you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me! I’m always happy to help.

Warmly,

Nicki