Physio for Headaches | Can Physio Treat a Headache?

If you’ve been struggling with constant headaches, you’re in luck! When it comes to physiotherapy, headaches are actually a breeze to take care of.

Headaches are one of the most common types of pain; in fact, they have affected around two-thirds of the population at some point in their lives. They can interrupt your daily activities and negatively impact your quality of life.

At Align HC, we want to make your life easier with physiotherapy for migraine headaches. This article focuses on the different types of headaches, their causes, and how a physiotherapist from our team can help.

Key Takeaways

The most common types of headaches are tension-type, cervicogenic, and migraines.
Cervicogenic headaches start from the neck and are usually caused by poor posture, muscle tension, or previous injuries.
Tension-type headaches create a tight band sensation around the head and are often triggered by stress, dehydration, or too much sitting.
Physiotherapy can effectively treat tension-type and cervicogenic headaches through manual therapy, posture correction, and personalised exercise programs.

What are the Different Types of Headaches?

Headache and migraine physiotherapy treatment differs depending on the kind of headache you’re experiencing. Here are the most common types of headaches:

Cervicogenic Headaches

This kind of headache comes from your upper cervical spine (neck). Patients with cervicogenic headaches in the cervical joints usually find that they are caused by problems like poor posture, whiplash injuries, or degenerative neck conditions.

Some symptoms of these neck-related headaches are pain in the head, jaw, forehead, ears, or behind the eyes. This pain in the neck is often worse when you move your neck muscles. It can also cause neck stiffness and dizziness.

Tension-Type Headaches

A tension-type headache (or tension headache) typically comes with a dull, aching feeling in your head, or even tightness and pressure around the head. Tension headaches and migraines are caused by muscle tension and neck pain, often due to stress, fatigue, or poor postural positions.

Migraine and tension-type headaches can last from 30 minutes to several days. They are typically triggered by stress or extended periods of poor posture.

Migraine Headaches

An intense headache or migraine is a more severe kind of headache, usually on one side of your head. Migraine sufferers regularly find that these headaches come with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Patients with migraine issues might even see an aura or a visual disturbance. Some common triggers are hormonal changes, certain foods, stress, and environmental factors associated with migraine issues.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches tend to occur with an intense throbbing, burning sensation, or piercing pain around one eye or one side of the head. Patients with headache clusters will find that they usually happen in cyclical patterns or clusters, with episodes lasting from 15 minutes to 3 hours. Symptoms of this headache and neck pain include nasal congestion and eye redness on the affected side.

What Causes Headaches?

Before you go to physiotherapy for headaches, it’s important to understand the source of your pain. Here are a few common causes of headaches:

Physical Factors

Poor posture during too much sitting or screen time can lead to muscle tension in the neck and shoulders. This contributes to cervicogenic and tension-type headaches. Old injuries like whiplash can also trigger headaches.

Lifestyle Factors

Tension-type headaches can be caused by stress and anxiety headaches. Dehydration, lack of sleep, irregular meals, and too much caffeine or alcohol can also cause certain types of headaches.

Other Contributing Factors

Hormonal fluctuations (like menstrual cycles), certain medications (such as overuse of pain relievers), and environmental factors (like bright lights or loud noises) can cause headaches, too.

How can Physical Therapy Help Manage Headaches?

Physiotherapy can help treat primary and secondary headaches through a variety of specialised techniques. If you experience headaches often or are concerned about the pain, we can help identify your headache (primary headaches vs secondary headaches) and help you understand the cause.

Our physiotherapists can evaluate your posture, range of motion in your neck, muscle strength, and potential triggers. One treatment technique we use is manual therapy, like joint mobilisation and soft tissue manipulation, which can relieve musculoskeletal and muscle tension and improve joint function.

Another important technique is exercise therapy, where we create customised exercise programs focusing on strengthening your neck muscles and improving your posture. Additionally, a physiotherapy clinic like Align HC can use heat and cold therapy, TENS units, or acupuncture to help you manage your pain.

Physiotherapy sessions are usually in the range of $90 to $130 per session, but initial consultations might cost more because of the thorough assessments involved. However, many insurances cover physio!

Benefits of Physiotherapy for Headaches

There are many benefits of using physio to treat your head pain. Here are the main advantages:

Personalised Treatment Plans: Every single treatment plan we make is personalised to sort out your specific headache type and personal needs.
Improved Mobility and Function: Physiotherapy improves your neck mobility and reduces headache frequency and intensity through targeted treatment options.
Lifestyle Guidance: All of our patients get expert guidance on practical changes to workspaces, stress management techniques, hydration strategies, and dietary recommendations. This helps to prevent future headaches.
Long-Term Relief Strategies: Our physio headache treatment focuses on preventive care through ongoing physiotherapy sessions. Your symptoms will continue to improve over time.

Align HC: Seasoned Headache Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a particularly effective, non-invasive treatment option that can help you manage a wide variety of headaches. With a combination of manual therapy, exercise programs, simple lifestyle changes, and ongoing support, physiotherapy can ease your symptoms and prevent your headaches from recurring.

Align HC offers expert headache physiotherapy to support your overall health. We reduce your pain, strengthen your neck muscles, and give you the best advice to prevent these issues from coming up again. Get in touch to get rid of those chronic headaches!

FAQs on Physio for Headaches | Can Physio Treat a Headache?

What exercise is prescribed for a headache?

Pilates, yoga, or core strengthening exercises are best for headaches. These exercises help improve posture, reduce muscle tension, and enhance blood flow, all of which can alleviate headache symptoms. Regularly engaging in these activities can also prevent future headaches by strengthening the muscles that support the head and neck.

What kind of headache goes away with exercise?

Tension headaches are a kind of headache that can go away with exercise. Physical activity helps relax tight muscles in the neck and shoulders, which are common contributors to tension headaches. Additionally, exercise increases the release of endorphins, which act as natural pain relievers and reduce headache intensity.