Frequent headaches can make work, sleep, exercise, and everyday life more difficult. Physical therapy may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it can be essential for long-term relief when posture, neck mobility, muscle weakness, stress, or movement patterns are contributing to your pain.
Joint and muscle weakness, poor posture, and stress are all factors that may be causing your headaches. Headache pain can radiate from the scalp, sides of the head, or even the brow. Recognizing the type of headache you are having helps your physical therapist determine which pain-relieving treatments may be most beneficial.
At Comprehensive Physical Therapy, your care begins with an examination to understand your symptoms and the source of your discomfort—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Stress can cause spasms near the small muscles at the base of the skull, transmitting pain signals to the brain. Repetitive movements or poor neck and head posture can contribute to these spasms.
Excessive pressure on the neck may lead to these headaches. Muscle imbalances, postural problems, injury, emotional stress, and neck injuries such as whiplash can all play a role.
Pain in the top three cervical vertebrae characterizes cervicogenic headaches. Concussion, arthritis, work-related strain, or jobs requiring a regularly down-turned head or neck can contribute.
Mixed headaches are frequently associated with chronic daily headaches. Pain may be related to cervicogenic, tension, or migraine headaches, as well as medication-overuse or rebound headaches.
Migraines can be triggered by diet, emotional stress, abnormal postures, and neck or head muscle and joint problems. Addressing trigger areas in the head, neck, jaw, and face may reduce episode severity and frequency.
Neck posture, reduced mobility, and muscle strain may contribute to headache symptoms. Learn more about the connection between neck pain and physical therapy.
During your first visit, a Comprehensive Physical Therapy physical therapist will conduct a physical examination to identify the type of headache you are experiencing and the source of your discomfort. We then create a treatment plan specifically for you, which may include targeted exercise, manual therapy, and education.
Our goal is to help you understand contributing factors and build practical strategies for moving, working, and living with greater comfort.
Treatment can focus on improving the neck's range of motion and restoring more comfortable movement.
Physical therapy may help reduce or eliminate headache intensity, frequency, and duration.
Care can improve mobility, function, overall quality of life, and may reduce the need for or reliance on medications.
Physical therapy may be a key step toward a healthier, more comfortable life. At Comprehensive Physical Therapy, your next steps are simple: request an appointment, receive a custom treatment plan, work hard and progress in your recovery, then get back to enjoying life with less pain.
We serve patients at our Metairie and Mandeville locations. No doctor referral is needed.