Physical Therapy Provides Relief from Headache and Migraine Pain
The numbers are staggering. Approximately 80-90% of the U.S. population, endure occasional or frequent tension headaches and migraines. And it is not just the U.S., headaches are the third most commonly reported source of pain across the world.
Generally, at the first sign of a headache, most people take a pain-relieving medication. But medication often has side-effects and there is a better treatment option. Physical therapy is able to provide lasting relief from persistent headaches and migraines. A pain medication may help in the short-term, but prevention is often the best medicine.
A greater majority of headaches actually originate in the neck – these are referred to as cervicogenic headaches.
Stress, improper posture, increasing amounts of “screen time” and other factors can contribute to weakness, strain, and injury to the muscles and joints of the neck. Resulting pain then radiates up into the scalp, side of the head, and even the forehead, depending on the area of the neck involved.
If you are suffering from headaches contact our Progressive Medical Fitness physical therapy team. We can treat headaches ranging from acute and temporary to constant and chronic (such as migraines). Request an appointment with our certified physical therapists today!
Do you have one of these headaches?
While it is not widely known, there are actually different types of headaches that develop from a variety of causes. The three main types of headaches include:
Tension headaches
The tension headache is the most common form of headache, affecting about three quarters of the population. This type of headache is the result of repetitive motions or poor posture in the neck/head. Strain on the “dura mater,” which is a sensitive membrane that envelops the brain, is thought to be the cause of the tension headache. When the dura mater is strained, small muscles located at the base of the skull go into spasms, thereby sending pain signals to the brain which cause your headache.
Musculoskeletal headaches
Musculoskeletal headaches cause mild to moderate pain around the head that then spreads through your neck to your shoulders. The culprit of these headaches is often stress, but lack of sleep, poor posture, eye strain or trauma can also be the cause. Whiplash, a traumatic injury to the neck from an auto accident, is a common cause of musculoskeletal headaches. With neck injuries such as whiplash, the muscles and connective tissues in the neck are strained or even torn. This can be the cause of episodic or chronic headaches.
Cervicogenic headaches
A cervicogenic headaches is a pain that originates in the neck but is felt in the head. Conditions such as a concussion, arthritis or high blood pressure can lead to the experience of this type of headache pain. Work-related strain can also be a trigger for a cervicogenic headache. Jobs that require a down-turned motion of the head or neck, or are straining forward, are the most at risk for developing cervicogenic headaches. This may include hairdressers, truck drivers, carpenters, nail artists, chefs, etc.
How will I benefit from physical therapy?
If you experience chronic headaches, contact our physical therapy team at Progressive Medical Fitness today. We are dedicated to relieving your pain and improving daily life with the state-of-the-art treatments for your headaches.
A certified physical therapist will conduct a thorough physical assessment and interview you about your health history and symptoms. Once the type of headache you are experiencing has been identified, your physical therapist will design a targeted treatment plan to address your unique situation and condition.
A personalized treatment plan will then be designed to relieve you from pain.
Ready to leave nagging headache pain behind?
Schedule your initial consultation today with our caring physical therapy team at Progressive Medical Fitness.
Our treatments for headaches focus on relieving pain, improving posture, and developing strength in the muscles in the neck and shoulders. These will all help to alleviate pain so you can live without the shadow of suffering from headaches. You will no longer have to say “I can’t, I have a headache.”