Headaches Holding You Back?
Aching, throbbing, stabbing, pulsing…these are some of the words we use to describe the pain we can experience in our head, neck or jaw that we call headaches. Most of us have experienced a headache in our lifetime; they can be occasional and mild or can be a debilitating and constant problem.
The most common types of headaches are:
- Migraine: One sided throbbing pain that can be accompanied by light or sound sensitivity
- Tension headaches: A band like pattern of pain related to neck muscles or stress
- Cervicogenic headaches: Pain beginning in the neck and moving up to the head that is related to neck structures
Causes of headaches
Headaches can be caused by many different things. Some of these include:
- Stress and dehydration
- Muscular dysfunction and/or stiff joints
- Posture
- Other factors such as hormones, caffeine, food sensitivities etc
How physio can help?
Good news! Physiotherapy has been shown to be a safe and very effective way helping to treat and prevent headaches. Your therapist will assess your neck mobility and check for any muscular dysfunction that could be the underlying cause of your headaches. By formulating a treatment plan specific to you, we work to improve your range of motion, decrease muscular tightness and improve your muscle strength with the goal of quickly alleviating your pain and preventing reoccurrence.
Treatment can include: stretches, strengthening exercises, postural education, dry needling, joint mobilisation, soft tissue work and craniosacral therapy, a gentle hands on therapy that aims to find and treat restrictions in the body systems.
What can I do at home?
There are plenty of things you can do to help yourself at home and we will give specific advice for what is best for you and your body. Some generalised things to start with:
- Ensure proper desk setup if working from home
- Take breaks- don’t get caught in a cycle of working for hours without a break
- Postural awareness and stress management
- Hot and cold therapy
Don’t suffer any longer with your headaches! Give us a call or book online now and come see the friendly and experienced team at Queensland Physiotherapy to get on top of your pain today.
