Persistent headaches can be difficult to deal with, causing pain in your head and your neck. The pain caused by headaches can be sharp, burning, dull or throbbing. Sometimes you might experience more than one painful sensation at once. While medication can help quell some symptoms, it may not address the root cause of your pain. An effective treatment for chronic headaches is one that identifies the source of your problems and works to address them. Physical therapy is a treatment that offers this kind of holistic approach. There are many ways for physical therapy to treat chronic headaches. Understanding the different techniques a physical therapist might apply can help you prepare for your sessions.
Ways physical therapy can help treat chronic headaches
- Posture improvement — Posture can play a crucial role in recurring headaches. Standing, sitting and lying down in the wrong positions can cause misalignment in the spine. This can lead to stiffness and back pain. Your whole body is one interconnected organism. When your spine is stiff, it can lead to pain all the way from your hips to your head. With physical therapy, you can receive guidance on proper posture. In some cases, making postural adjustments can offer relief and prevent future recurrence of your head pain.
- Muscle relaxation — Headaches are often a sign of other problems. This means the best solution to your headaches might not be the most obvious one. For example, tension and stress in your muscles can be a major contributing factor with recurring headaches. A physical therapist can employ various techniques to help reduce tension including stretching exercises. By relaxing your muscles, you might begin to feel your head clear.
- Joint mobilization — Joint dysfunction in the neck and upper spine frequently leads to chronic headaches. One treatment that focuses on improving joint health is called joint mobilization. Joint mobilization is a kind of manual therapy, meaning it is a hands-on approach used by physical therapists. A therapist can gently move your joints to improve range of motion and reduce pain. This technique can also help alleviate nerve compression and referred pain, factors that could be contributing to your headaches.
- Ergonomic evaluation — Does your body feel sore and stiff after a day of work? Do your headaches get worse when engaging in certain activities? One common cause of recurrent headaches is workplace conditions. Whether you share a large workspace or have your own station, your workplace equipment can play a role in causing head pain. For example, a desk that requires you to hunch forward without support can put strain on your neck. When this kind of stress continues day after day, it can build up. This is why integrating ergonomic solutions can make such a big difference. By making ergonomic adjustments, you can address environmental factors that could contribute to head pain. Ergonomics promote proper body mechanics to reduce the risk of headache-inducing strain.
- Stress reduction — Mental health and physical health are deeply interconnected. Experiencing mental stress can make your body tense and contribute to chronic headaches. This makes the holistic treatment approach of physical therapy important. Your physical therapist can show you effective relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. Incorporating stress reduction practices can help clear your head of stress and pain.
- Trigger education — Understanding your headache triggers can be essential for long-term management. One advantage of physical therapy treatment for chronic headaches is the way your treatment plan can integrate education. This process begins with trigger identification. During your first visits, your physical therapist can use evaluations to help determine what is causing your headaches. Once you understand the source of your pain, you can learn to avoid certain headache triggers. For example, certain foods and drinks can trigger headaches in some patients. Sleep patterns and other elements of your lifestyle can also play a role. Working alongside your physical therapist, you can make lifestyle modifications that allow you to avoid headache triggers. PT education is designed to help you prevent pain before it happens.
Alliance PTP is ready to help you find a caring partner to help treat your chronic headaches
Need a partner to help you treat your chronic headaches? Alliance Physical Therapy Partners is here for you.
We can help you find the in-person or virtual physical therapy that’s right for you, and even better, we’ll help you find a team of caring professionals who are ready to walk with you through your entire PT journey.
Contact us today to start getting the care you need.
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