Just about everyone has experienced headaches at one time or another, from small tension headaches to debilitating, nauseating migraines.
Migraines alone affect as many as 1 billion people across the globe, making it the sixth most disabling illness in the world, according to the Migraine Research Foundation.
But did you know that physical therapy can help manage headaches? Whether the pain is minor or severe, chronic or rare, the right physical therapy approach might just help you find relief and a new, pain-free lifestyle.
What causes headaches?
Headaches are caused by a variety of factors. They may be felt in one or more areas of the head, may develop gradually or suddenly, and may cause different sensations, including throbbing, gripping, or stabbing pain. Severe headaches may also cause nausea or dizziness.
According to the International Headache Society, there are 14 types of headache disorders. Most of these can be categorized as primary or secondary headaches.
Primary headaches
Primary headaches include migraine, cluster, and tension headaches. They exist on their own, and are not symptoms of another disease.
For example, the causes of migraine headaches are not fully understood, but may involve genetics and environmental factors. Other factors may include brain chemical imbalances, age, and the use of certain medications.
You may also experience primary headaches due to lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol, stress, or lack of sleep.
Secondary headaches
A secondary headache is a symptom of another condition. These conditions can be caused by a variety of illnesses or injury, including mild dehydration, sinus pain from allergies, muscle strain or injury, concussion, stroke, malformed skull, or neck injury from a car accident.
A secondary headache may go away if the underlying cause receives appropriate treatment. Some secondary headaches can persist and become chronic.
Physical Therapy for Migraine and Other Headaches
With severe or stubborn headaches, relief may seem impossible. Fortunately, physical therapy has been proven to help reduce or eliminate many kinds of headaches.
The right treatment plan, developed with a licensed physical therapist, can help you:
● Reduce or resolve headache strength and frequency
● Use fewer headache medications
● Improve your physical functioning and mobility
● Feel more empowered to manage your health
● Gain a better quality of life
First, your physical therapist will examine you, ask about your symptoms, and take your health history to better understand the type of headache you have and its possible causes. Then, your physical therapist will use this information to create a headache treatment plan for your needs and goals.
Physical therapy for headaches may include:
● Education to better understand potential headache triggers and how to alleviate them
● Manual therapy, including soft tissue manipulation, to help reduce stiffness, tension, or spasms, and increase mobility and muscle performance
● Exercise routines, including yoga and other low-impact options, to reduce pain and inflammation and improve endurance and healing
● Relaxation techniques, including meditation or stretches, to reduce tension and stress that contribute to headaches
Physical Therapy for Headache Relief
Tired of trying to power through persistent headaches? You don’t have to suffer alone anymore! Contact the experienced, licensed physical therapy professionals at Spring Hill Physical Therapy & FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers to get the headache help you deserve and get your life back.