Physical Therapy for

Headaches

Schedule Appointment
Headache

How Does It Feel?

  • Headaches, like back pain, are one of the most frequent of physical complaints and may be one of the most frustrating to control. Pain of any kind that happens in any region of the head is classified as a headache.
  • Cervicogenic
    • Prevalence is about 15-20% of all headache types
    • This upper cervical region is the base of your skull (occiput), C1, C2, C3 vertebrae
    • There are very sensitive nerve and blood vessels that course through this area and supply the head and face which is what typically causes the headaches
  • Tension
    • Prevalence ranges from 30-78%
    • The exact mechanisms of tension headaches are not known
    • It often presents with other headache types
    • Headaches last anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 days

Signs & Symptoms

Cervicogenic

Symptom originate from the upper cervical nerves, joints, discs, ligaments, or muscles

Cervicogenic

Pain is usually localized in the neck and base of the skull, which can spread upward over the ear and into the temple region

Cervicogenic

Symptoms can also feel like they are behind your eye

Cervicogenic

Headaches symptoms are almost always worse on one side of the head and neck

Cervicogenic

Pain is precipitated or aggravated by specific neck movements or sustained postures like sitting at a computer

Cervicogenic

Range of motion is often limited especially when turning your head to one side

Cervicogenic

You will often feel tension in the neck muscles or at the base of your skull

Tension

Headaches last anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 days

Tension

Headaches are often on both sides of the head

Tension

Symptoms are often a pressing/tightening feeling (non-pulsing)

Tension

These headaches are not worsened with physical activity or exercise

Tension

No nausea or vomiting

Tension

No sensitivity to light or sound

Diagnosis

What We Do

We conduct a thorough examination including the neck, jaw, and upper part of the thoracic spine. We determine the root cause of your symptoms to ensure that physical therapy treatment is the best option for you.

How We Do It

We examine posture, range of motion, strength, reflexes, sensation, soft tissue mobility, joint mobility, nerve mobility, and functional movements to create a custom treatment plan. We also take into account any imaging that you have had like X-Rays, MRI, CT scans, etc.

We also will help you with lifestyle changes that will improve your symptoms such as your food intake, stress management, sleep habits, and exercise routine.

We have found a multi-faceted approach to treating headaches is best combined with manual therapy technique and dry needling.

Treatment Plan

We may use a combination of the following
techniques to help you get your life back:

  • Spinal manipulation/mobilization to decrease pain and improve spinal motion in the neck and jaw
  • Soft tissue mobilization to reduce muscle guarding and tension to decrease headache symptoms
  • Dry Needling to reduce muscular pain and increase the health of muscle tissue specifically in the upper part of your neck and base of your skull
  • Neuromuscular retraining to teach your body how to move in a better way
  • Mobility training to increase flexibility and range of motion in your neck and mid-back
  • Strength training increase your postural muscle strength as well as strength in the muscles along your shoulder blades
  • Endurance training to improve your postural muscle capacity for things like working or studying

What Should I Do Next?

Schedule an initial examination
Let us find the root cause of your pain
Create a custom treatment plan for you
Start living pain-free!
Take your first step

Eliminate Pain, Enjoy Your Life, B Your Best!

Want More Information?

Schedule a complimentary consultation
(407) 698-5558
Download “6 Things You Can Do to Start Decreasing Your Pain”
Download
Download “The Healthy Lifestyle Checklist”
Download

Oviedo

864 Executive Drive, Suite 2, Oviedo, FL 32765
Phone: (407) 698-5558
Text: (407) 698-5558

Lake Mary

743 Stirling Center Pl Unit 1709, Lake Mary, FL 32746
Phone: (407) 698-5558
Text: (407) 698-5558

© B Physical Therapy
Web Design, SEO & Hosting by REK Marketing & Design
To Top