Physio for Migraines | Can Physiotherapy Help Migraines?

A headache or migraine can really put a damper on your day. This type of headache makes it feel like your brain is throbbing, and a lot of the time you might experience neck pain, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound.

If you’re a migraine attack sufferer, you’ll know that pain medication can only get you so far. At Align HC, we’re here to show you how physical therapy may just be the solution you’re looking for! This article clarifies the ins and outs of physio, migraine types, and more.

Key Takeaways

There are many types of migraines with different causes, such as chronic, menstrual, and vestibular.
Physiotherapy works well to reduce migraine frequency and severity.
Physios combine manual therapy, modalities, and strengthening exercises to improve your migraine symptoms and causes over time.
The benefits of physio for migraines are reduced pain, improved quality of life, self-management empowerment, and more.

What are the Different Types of Migraines?

Before you get help with migraines, it’s important to understand the different kinds and how they can affect you. Depending on the type of migraine you have, you will require specific treatment plans from your physio. Here are the common types of migraines:

Migraine with Aura: This is the classic migraine. You’ll usually experience neurological symptoms like visual disturbances or sensory changes.
Migraine without Aura: This is the same kind of muscle tension in your head, but it does not have any aura symptoms.
Chronic Migraine: Patients with migraine problems on a chronic level experience pain associated with migraine issues for 15+ days per month, for at least 3 months.
Menstrual Migraine: Patients with headaches related to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle have a menstruation migraine. This often happens before or during menstruation.
Vestibular Migraine: This migraine can come with dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues. A headache does not always accompany this migraine.
Hemiplegic Migraine: This is not a very common kind of migraine, but it causes temporary paralysis or weakness on one side of the body. People typically mistake it for a stroke.
Abdominal Migraine: This type of migraine mainly affects children. It comes along with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting without the usual headache. Abdominal migraines can sometimes transition to typical migraine headaches in adulthood.

Physiotherapy for Migraine Headache Problems

Physiotherapy is a great migraine treatment option. A physical therapist can reduce headaches and neck pain, as well as lower the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. This is done by addressing the underlying musculoskeletal dysfunctions that might be contributing to your migraines. Physiotherapists use a variety of techniques during rehabilitation that can alleviate pain, improve mobility and spinal posture, and boost your overall well-being.

Techniques Used in Physiotherapy

Physical therapy could help patients with a variety of methods. Here are the main techniques used by physios to help relieve symptoms and address migraine causes:

Manual Therapy: These techniques are used to treat migraine and tension-type headaches. With methods like joint mobilisation and soft tissue manipulation, our physios can get your normal cervical spine movement patterns back. This will also reduce tension in your neck muscles and joints, which might be making your headaches worse.
Therapeutic Exercise: Specific exercise plans, such as aerobics, are a safe and effective method of reducing the frequency of migraine attacks. They also improve your overall physical fitness in the process! As part of migraine and headache treatment, we will give you strengthening and stretching exercises that will target your neck and shoulder muscles. This can also help prevent the tension build-up that usually triggers migraines.
Dry Needling and TENS: These are modalities used in the treatment of migraine attacks that can give you some pain relief. They interrupt the pain signals sent to the brain.
Acupuncture: This is a more alternative approach within physiotherapy that can improve treatment outcomes for migraine sufferers. It focuses on the energy pathways and the central nervous system in the body.

What are the Benefits of Physiotherapy Treatment for Migraines?

Let’s move on to the benefits of physio for individuals with migraine attacks! You already know that physio offers pain management of migraine attacks and can help reduce muscle tension, but there’s more to it than that.

Here are the main advantages of physio for patients with headache and migraine attacks:

Reduced Frequency and Intensity: Many patients with head and neck pain note that they have fewer migraine attacks and less severe symptoms after physical therapy techniques.
Improved Quality of Life: By getting rid of the pain and discomfort associated with migraines, physiotherapy can improve your mental well-being, daily functioning, and physical fitness.
Empowerment Through Self-Management: Physiotherapists for patients with headache and migraine issues also offer educational benefits. Physios give patients strategies to manage their condition effectively, including lifestyle changes and exercise routines that are customised to their needs.
Multidisciplinary Approach: If you combine physiotherapy with other treatment options, you get more comprehensive care that takes care of both the physical and psychological parts of a tension headache and migraine.

Align HC: Improve Migraine Symptoms Efficiently

Physiotherapy is a really helpful approach to managing your migraines by focusing on the underlying musculoskeletal issues. Physical activity, massage, posture improvement, and manual therapy are all techniques in physio that can help reduce the frequency and severity of your migraine experience. If you have any of the signs and symptoms of migraines, reach out to our experienced physios at Align HC!

FAQs on Physio for Migraines | Can Physiotherapy Help Migraines?

Should I see a chiro or physio for migraines?

If you have a migraine, physio is the best way to help. Chiros can help with immediate pain relief, but this may not be helpful if your condition is chronic or caused by an underlying issue. Physiotherapy provides long-term treatment and recovery.

Is it good to exercise when you have a migraine?

Yes, it is good to exercise when you have a migraine. This is because exercising releases endorphins, which are your body’s natural painkillers. However, it’s important to choose low-intensity activities like yoga or walking, as strenuous exercise could worsen symptoms. Your physio will give you a plan detailing which exercises to avoid. Always listen to your body, and if you feel dizzy or the pain intensifies, it’s best to stop and rest.

How to tell if a migraine is coming?

You can tell a migraine is coming by a few early symptoms, such as constipation, stiffness in your neck, food cravings, increased urination, and more. Some people also experience aura, which can include visual disturbances like flashing lights or blind spots. Paying attention to these warning signs can help you take preventive measures, such as medication or rest, to reduce the severity of the attack.