Tech & Screen Time: Massage & Acupuncture for Tension Headaches in Tweens
Let’s be honest—screen time is up.
Summer brings a break from school but often leads to a new kind of overload: hours spent watching YouTube, playing games, or scrolling on devices. While the digital world can keep kids connected and entertained, their bodies are paying the price.
At Same Stars Wellness, we’re seeing a steady rise in tweens struggling with tension headaches, tech neck, and nervous system overwhelm—and we want you to know there are gentle, effective ways to help.
⚠️ Headache Red Flags in Tweens
Is your child complaining of daily or frequent headaches? Do they seem tired, irritable, or unable to focus after long periods of screen use?
Here are common signs to watch for:
Headaches behind the eyes or at the temples
Neck, shoulder, or upper back pain
Jaw tension or teeth grinding (especially at night)
Light sensitivity or irritability after screens
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
If you’ve noticed these symptoms, it’s likely not “just growing pains.” These are very real signs of nervous system and musculoskeletal strain—and they’re incredibly common in this age group.
📚 More on screen-time headaches in kids
🤯 Why This Happens
Screen use often leads to:
Forward head posture (a.k.a. “tech neck”), which strains the neck and upper back
Reduced blinking, which leads to eye strain and headaches
Overstimulation of the nervous system, especially in neurodivergent kids
Poor sleep hygiene due to blue light exposure and lack of physical movement
These small stressors add up—especially in developing bodies and brains.
🌿 How We Can Help: Gentle, Evidence-Informed Support
At Same Stars Wellness, we offer pain relief that’s tween-friendly, trauma-aware, and rooted in connection. We’ve helped countless kids move from daily discomfort to feeling clear, calm, and focused again.
✔️ Pediatric Massage Therapy
Targeted massage for the neck, jaw, scalp, and shoulders to release tension, improve blood flow, and bring down pain levels.
✔️ Acupuncture for Kids & Teens
Gentle needling techniques (or acupressure for needle-averse kids) to calm the nervous system, address chronic headaches, and rebalance overstimulated pathways.
✔️ Craniosacral Therapy
A light-touch technique that can reduce headache frequency and support nervous system regulation, especially helpful for kids with anxiety or sensory sensitivities.
All care is customized to your child’s comfort level, preferences, and sensory profile. Many of our tween clients look forward to their treatments—and feel relief after just one or two visits.
🧠 Bonus Tip: Support at Home
While we support your child in clinic, you can try this at home:
Encourage movement breaks every 20–30 minutes of screen time
Offer a cool compress or eye mask during headaches
Try a jaw massage at bedtime to ease tension
Swap one screen block for outdoor quiet time or sensory play
✅ Let’s Get Your Child Feeling Better—Fast
No child should have to push through daily headaches. Whether your tween is tech-obsessed, neurodivergent, or just plain exhausted—there’s a path forward that feels good.
We’re here to support your child’s comfort, focus, and overall wellness.
👉 Book a pediatric massage or acupuncture appointment
Have questions? Send us a message—we’re happy to chat about what’s right for your family.
