Did you know that headaches are the third most common pain complaint across the world? (International Headache Society). It’s true! So if you began reading this and you are suffering from headaches, breathe a sigh of relief: you are not alone.
It is no secret that headaches can cause limits to your daily life. Fortunately though, physical therapy can help you overcome those painful barriers.
If you are living with constant headaches and you’re looking for relief, contact Dubuque Physical Therapy today to schedule a consult with one of our licensed physical therapists. We’ll help you rid yourself of that pounding pain!
Reasons for headaches
The term headache is pretty self-explanatory. A “headache” is a term that refers to any form of pain you experience in your head!
Most headaches will go away without medical intervention; however, severe or persistent headaches that negatively impact one’s quality of life should be explored further.
The trick is to figure out what kind of headache you’re having and then consult with a physical therapist at Dubuque Physical Therapy to come up with a treatment strategy that works for you!
Physical therapists are skilled at identifying various forms of headaches and developing pain-relieving treatments for stress-related headaches.
There are several different types of headaches that can be treated with physical therapy. These include, but are not limited to:
- Rebound.
- Hypertension.
- Migraine or sinus.
- Stress (tension).
- Cluster.
- Exertion.
- Caffeine.
- Post-traumatic.
- Hormone.
Tension headaches are some of the most commonly treated headaches by a physical therapist. They occur when the neck and scalp muscles contract or become tense, and they can happen at any age.
Stress-related headaches generally start at the back of the head and progress to the top of the head and eyes, sometimes accompanied by facial pain along the jaw and cheeks. This type of discomfort has been compared to having hair pulled or wearing a very tight hat.
This kind of headache can occur as a result of increased stress levels, but also from:
- Depression.
- Poor posture.
- Arthritis.
- Neck or jaw problems.
- Fatigue.
- Anxiety.
Physical therapy for headache pain
It may seem strange at first to see a physical therapist about headaches. However, physical therapy addresses all movement and posture problems, not just those that happen after surgery or injury.
To begin, at your first appointment your physical therapist will evaluate your posture, body strength, and movement. They may also ask you to describe your workstation to see if poor posture throughout the day is contributing to your headaches.
Next, they will prescribe a series of stretches and targeted exercises for you to do throughout the day to give your body a chance to reset its position, and cut back on the number of tension headaches you develop. Finally, they may give you a series of strengthening exercises to do on your own to strengthen the muscles in your stomach, back, shoulders, and hips so you can hold your body properly as you work.
Your therapist will also teach you how to perform pain-relieving techniques to do on your own whenever you experience tension headaches. These may include ice, heat, massage, stretching, or specific movements.
Your physical therapist may suggest any combination of specialized treatment services, including but not limited to:
- Muscle energy techniques.
- Ice or compressions.
- Body mobilization.
- Soft tissue mobilization.
- McKenzie-based therapies.
- Cervical traction.
- Stretching exercises.
- Strengthening exercises.
- Muscular releases.
It’s vital to remember that you’re not alone in your therapy, even if you’re the patient! Your physical therapist will be by your side every step of the way to assist you in determining what causes your headaches and what relieves the pain. If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment, don’t hesitate to contact your therapist.
Give our clinic a call today to find true headache relief
Are your headaches causing limits to your daily life? If so, contact Dubuque Physical Therapy as soon as possible. The quicker you consult with a physical therapist, the less likely your headaches will progress into more severe pain. Call our office today to get started on the first steps of your own personalized treatment plan!
