Chronic headaches are often debilitating, leaving sufferers unable to enjoy even their everyday activities.
But for individuals dealing with migraines, chronic tension headaches, or even cervicogenic headaches, non-invasive treatment options like physical therapy offer a life-changing path to long-term relief.
If you’re one of the millions of people who regularly find themselves sidelined by a severe headache, after physical therapy, you may be able to defeat the chronic condition for good.
Although the cause of migraines and other chronic headaches may vary, a growing number of individuals are discovering that physiotherapy is the key to unlocking a pain-free future.
Physical Therapy for Migraines and Tension Headaches
Considered one of the most disabling illnesses in the world, migraines are a severe neurological condition that causes a range of symptoms, most notably severe pain. Unfortunately, chronic medication use is a contributing factor in worsening migraines from episodic to chronic.
However, physiotherapy for migraines is emerging as a promising treatment option that doesn’t pose the same risk.
There are two kinds of physical therapy methods generally recommended for migraines and other headache pain, including tension headaches:
Passive Physical Therapies for Headache Relief
Hot/cold packs, massage, steroid creams, ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
Active Physical Therapies for Headache Relief
Stretching, pain-relief and range-of-motion exercise, low-impact aerobic conditioning, and strengthening exercises
Although every headache sufferer is unique, many physical therapy techniques have been found to effectively decrease pain. Usually, these methods are most effective when used at the onset of a migraine or headache.
Physical Therapy for Cervicogenic Headaches
A cervicogenic, or cervical, headache, is one that originates in structures within the neck (known as your cervical spine). The pain typically radiates into other areas, including the back, top, and sides of the head. A cervical headache can be a gradual occurrence or the direct result of an injury, with one of the most common causes being whiplash.
Factors such as stiff neck joints, nerve irritation, and soft tissue tightness can all contribute to painful cervical headaches.
If you’re dealing with cervicogenic headaches, you may notice that your symptoms get worse when you move your head or neck.
Certain positions might trigger a headache, such as sitting at the computer for an extended period of time. And while these types of headaches can be extremely frustrating, they can often be effectively reduced with cervicogenic headache exercises.
A physical therapist will evaluate your specific needs to develop a personalized treatment plan, which usually combines both manual therapy techniques and exercises. Ultimately, the goal is to increase your range of movement, decrease pain, and strengthen the surrounding muscles to reduce the frequency of headaches.
Relieve Your Migraines with Physical Therapy from the National Headache Institute
At the National Headache Institute, we help patients pursue a life free from chronic pain with a diverse range of non-invasive treatment options. At our offices in Miami, New Jersey, and Houston, our team of headache specialists helps patients resolve headaches without surgery or medication, devising tailored treatment plans to get rid of headaches once and for all.
Our treatment options include physical therapy for headaches, including migraines, tension headaches, and others. For patients that are interested in pursuing physiotherapy for headaches, the first step is a private consultation at the National Headache Institute office nearest you.
There, one of our experts will meet with you to discuss your headache history, triggers, and potential treatments, including physical therapy for migraines.
Don’t waste any more of your life suffering from debilitating headaches. Reclaim your health and happiness today! Learn more about physical therapy for tension headaches and migraines by scheduling an appointment at the National Headache Institute today.
