Physiotherapy for Headache and Migraine
Most people will experience headache and migraine at times, whether it is temporary or lingering, the symptoms are generally unpleasant.
Imagine if you experience headaches or migraines for days and weeks, it can be annoying and taxing, it not only affects your productivity, but also mental wellbeing and quality of life.
While medications can provide temporary relief, they often don’t address the root causes. Physiotherapy can offer a holistic approach to managing headaches and migraines, focusing on muscle tension, posture, and lifestyle factors to reduce pain and prevent recurrence.
In this blog, we will explore how physiotherapy can help alleviate headaches and migraines by addressing the underlying issues.
Understanding the Connection: Muscle Tension and Headaches
Headaches and migraines are often triggered by tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. This tension can stem from:
Poor posture, especially for those spending long hours in front of a computer
Stress, which causes muscles in the neck and shoulder regions to tighten.
Repetitive movements, such as use of mouse and keyboard, or physical strain from lifting.
When these muscles become stiff or overworked, they can restrict neck and shoulder movements, irritate surrounding neural tissues, leading to tension-type headaches or contributing to migraines. In worse cases, it might also affect vision and cause balance disturbances.
How Physiotherapy Addresses Headaches and Migraines
Physiotherapist will take a holistic approach and perform a thorough assessment to establish a differential functional and physical diagnosis to determine the cause and severity of the symptoms. After the assessment, the physiotherapist will employ a range of treatment and management techniques to address the issues identified. Some of the strategies include but not limited to the following:
Posture Correction
Poor posture, especially a poked chin, is a common culprit for headaches in busy workforce when one is focused and work in front of a computer for extended period of time. Physiotherapists will assess your posture and teach you to correct the poor posture and reinforce a more relaxed and natural posture to reduce strain and stresses to your neck and shoulder muscles. Sometimes an appropriate posture brace might be recommended to help support a better posture while doing manual task at workplace.
Manual Therapy
Hands-on techniques, such as soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, trigger point release, manual stretching, help release muscle tension and improve blood flow, which can relieve headache symptoms.
Dry Needling
With the extensive knowledge and understanding about the musculoskeletal system
and biomechanics of the shoulder and neck, your Physiotherapist will carefully carry
out dry needling technique which has been shown to reduce cervicogenic
headaches and neck pain by targeting myofascial trigger points, alleviating muscle
tension, and improving local blood flow. Evidence-based studies highlight its
effectiveness in decreasing pain intensity, improving range of motion, and
enhancing overall function, especially when combined with other physiotherapy
interventions.
Targeted Exercises
A personalised exercise plan can address muscle imbalances and tightness, strengthen weak areas, and improve flexibility, thus help to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.
Ergonomic Advice
Physiotherapists assess and give recommendations and advice on how to set up your work station or improve your physical environment to prevent strain and stress to your neck and shoulder areas. Small changes, such as adjusting your chair and computer screen height or using a headset, can make a big difference.
Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques
Since stress is a common trigger for migraines, physiotherapy often incorporates relaxation techniques and stretches to calm the nervous system and promote overall wellbeing.
Evidence-based, Drug free, and Safe Relief for Headaches and Migraines with Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a non-invasive, drug-free solution that targets the root causes of headaches and migraines. With a holistic approach, Physiotherapists focus on personalised care, ensuring you receive treatments tailored to your specific needs.
Take the First Step Towards a Pain-Free Life
Don’t let headaches or migraines hold you back. You don’t have to live with aches and pain.
Talk to your experienced Physiotherapist and discover how professional care can help you achieve long-lasting relief.
Kevin Lau
Principal Physio
Wellbeing Physiotherapy
