At times you may experience occasional headaches due to fatigue and depression. However, when they often recur and interfere with your daily activities, it could signal the need for treatment. Physiotherapy is one of the most underrated treatments for migraines, so read this blog to learn how physiotherapy can help.

Does Physiotherapy Treatment Help with Headaches?

Yes! Physiotherapy is a natural, holistic approach that can provide long-term relief for people with chronic headaches and migraines.

Benefits of Physical Therapy for Migraine

Physiotherapy is usually considered as the treatment for sports injuries and muscle pains, but it can also help deal with migraines!

Here are some benefits of physiotherapy for migraine sufferers:

• Improves mobility

• Decreases pain

• Corrects posture and inner-ear-related balance issues

• Minimizes the intensity, frequency, and duration of migraines

• Addresses injuries to the tendons, spinal discs, muscles, nerves, joints, and cartilage

Different Types of Headaches

Headaches and migraines can cause pain in various areas around your head depending on their types, including:

Cervicogenic Headache

Though cervicogenic headaches can occur at any age, people between 20 and 60 years are more likely to experience them. They cause pain in the forehead, ears, jaw, and back of the eyes. Symptoms include neck pain and stiffness in the morning and in some cases, dizziness and nausea.

Causes

• Whiplash

• Poor posture

• Heavy lifting activities

Tension Headache

It occurs when your neck and head muscles contract and feels like a tight band wrapped around your head. The pain and pressure can extend to the back of your neck, causing tenderness in the forehead.

Causes

• Hunger

• Fatigue

• Cold or flu

• Caffeine withdrawal

• Head trauma

• Overuse of medication

• Prolonged screen time

Migraine Headache

It causes sharp, throbbing pain or pulsing sensation on one side of the head and can last for hours or days if untreated. It is often accompanied by nausea and light sensitivities.

Causes

• Dehydration

• Loud noises

• Hormonal imbalance

• Food sensitivities

• Climate and weather changes

• Undereating (consuming fewer calories)

Physical Therapy Exercises and Techniques for Migraine

Depending on your condition and symptoms, your physiotherapist may recommend any of the following techniques to treat your migraines:

• Stretches – Helps to position your neck and head in a better way while minimizing migraine symptoms.

• Soft Tissue Mobilization – Relaxes trigger points that worsen your symptoms.

• Heat or Ice – Applied to your head and neck to decrease pain or inflammation.

• Massage – Loosens the muscles that connect your skull to the neck, improving mobility and decreasing nerve irritation.

• Vestibular Therapy – Involves performing head, neck, and gaze stabilization exercises to improve the functionality of your vestibular systems.

• Electrical Stimulation – Performed on your neck muscles to decrease pain and other migraine symptoms

• Postural Correction – Includes using a supportive neck pillow when sleeping and a lumbar roll when sitting and performing slouch-over correct exercises.

If you are looking for an expert physio for treating migraines, contact Radiant Physiotherapy today. We have experienced and certified physiotherapists to treat migraines, so you can get back to living your life!