How to Treat Headaches With Physiotherapy

With stressful, busy lives and long hours in the office, headaches are a common complaint we treat at Doyle’s. Often they can be the result of a neck condition, or physical and emotional tension.

Is your neck the problem?

Nerves in the upper neck connect to nerves in the head and face. Often upper neck joints or muscle problems refer pain to the head creating headaches. Some of these symptoms may suggest your neck to be the cause of your headaches:

• If pain radiates from the back to the front of your head
• Headache with dizziness or light headedness
• Headache bought on or worsened by neck movement or staying in the same position for a long time
• Headache feels worse on the same side of your head
• Headache eased by pressure to base of skull

If migraine, allergic reactions or other factors are likely to be causing or contributing to the headaches, your physiotherapist will recommend that you see a medical practioner.

Preventing headaches

Here are some tips to help keep headaches at bay:

• Posture-think tall: Chest lifted, shoulders relaxed, chin tucked in and head level
• Work: Avoid working with your head down or to the side for long periods. Stretch and change position frequently
• Sleeping: Awkward sleep positions add load and strain to the neck
• Exercise: Keep neck joints and muscles strong with correct neck exercises
• Relaxation: Recognise when you are tense - you may be clenching your teeth or hunching your shoulders without realising it

How Physiotherapy Helps

Physiotherapists can determine if your neck is causing the headache and may use the following techniques to treat your neck: mobilisation, rehabilitative exercises; and/or postural assessment, correction and advice. After a thorough examination the physiotherapist would commence treatment to ensure your headache is safely and effectively managed.

If you have a headache which is not improving, contact Doyle’s Physiotherapy today.