Headache / Migraine Management

Headache / Migraine Management

Headache / Migraine Management
Headaches and migraines have a multitude of different causes and symptoms.  They can range from being just a mild annoyance to being completely debilitating, stopping you from participating in work and home life.

Physiotherapy can be very effective at treating headaches arising from a range of joint and muscular sources.  These include:
  • Cervicogenic headaches – headache caused by neck problems
  • Tension headaches – often caused by tight or painful muscles
  • Headaches from conditions such as temporo-mandibular disorders (TMDs / TMJs)
  • Stress-related headaches
  • Pregnancy-related headaches
  • Cluster headaches
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Occipital neuralgia
Treatment can include modalities such as joint mobilisations, myofascial release techniques, exercises to improve movement and strength, postural advice, ergonomic advice for work and home, stress management techniques and acupuncture.

Mixed Headaches

Headaches can sometimes become a mixture of both migraines and musculoskeletal headaches.  It is common to find that you start out with a traditional migraine and over time you start to develop musculoskeletal components, which will often cause your migraines to become more intense or more frequent.

Physiotherapy can assist by addressing the musculoskeletal components of your symptoms as listed above.  In turn, this can desensitise your underlying migraines, helping to reduce the frequency and severity again. 

Migraines

If your migraine has no musculoskeletal components you may benefit from acupuncture.  Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in the management of headaches and migraines.

Headaches and migraines are treated by Elizabeth Watson-Rose and Marjolijn Visser.
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