Headaches, Relief is at Hand!

 

Migraine & cluster headache attacks are often of a severe & pulsating quality, may switch from one side to the other and may be accompanied by nausea & other symptoms (aura). They are caused by contraction of blood vessels in the brain. They respond best to a specific medication.

 

Tension-type headaches are normally experienced for longer duration and are associated with continuous contraction of neck muscles, usually as a result to responses during life-stress. 
 

Cervicogenic headaches have their cause in the neck, with joints, muscles & first 3 nerves of the upper neck mainly identified. The jaw joint has also been identified as a cause of headaches. Poor posture, especially rounded shoulders & poking chin have also been associated. They can present in any pattern (one-sided, both sides, changing from side to side), be of varying intensity and may be associated with nausea.

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There are also cases in which all the different headaches occur together!

We are able to treat only headaches with its cause in the neck, as result of poor posture & jaw dysfunction. Any headache with other causes or combined headaches, at most we can reduce the intensity but most appropriate management will be in conjunction with other medical personnel.
 

 

Physiotherapy might involve neck mobilisation, soft tissue work on muscles, dry needling & especially postural education including relaxation & stretching techniques. We will also ensure that the thoracic spine is more mobile through mobilisation to ensure that postural education is effective. We might also include scapular (shoulder blade) stability exercises. Manual therapy and soft tissue around the jaw is also effective in management.

How we will manage your headache will be dependent on what we find during the assessment process. So if you have any stiffness of the upper back or neck, grind or clench your teeth or have a pain at the back of your skull or behind your eyes contact your manual physiotherapist. Relief may be just around the corner.