Burnaby Physio & Massage Therapy
HEADACHE TREATMENTS
Treatments
What are Headaches and Migraines?
Headaches and migraines are the second leading cause of worldwide disability. If you have ever had one, you will understand how it can affect your life and impact the quality of it.
Headaches and migraines are characterized by pain anywhere in the head and neck and can be one-sided or both.
They can feel very localized in the head or they may feel vague and generalized achiness. The pain that you can experience may be sharp, stabbing, or a throbbing sensation.
Migraines can be accompanied by auras and can sometimes cause nausea and vomiting in more severe cases.
Headaches and migraines can occur spontaneously or during activity. You may suffer an acute episode or have them on a chronic basis.
Causes Of Headaches & Migraines
There are many causes and types of headaches and migraines (yes, over 150!). The common type is the tension headache. Our registered Physiotherapists often observe that muscle tension, trigger points, and joint issues contribute to the developing and worsening of a headache or migraine.
Muscle Tension And Trigger Points
In our practice, this is often the most common source of pain in the head and neck. Stretches can sometimes relieve symptoms of headaches temporarily. However, they are not effective in releasing muscular trigger points. Stretches can provide a generalized release of the muscle, but does not target specific trigger points, so they are often not affected as much. The presence of trigger points sensitizes the development of headaches and migraines.
Cervical Joint Stiffness/Irritation
Another common cause of headaches and migraines is the facet joints in the neck. As you can see in the diagram below, irritation to each joint in the neck can refer to a different region of the head. These may have a wider and more diffuse pain pattern compared to trigger points above.
Other Risk Factors
Other causes can also contribute to headaches and migraines. Poor posture, eye strain, excessive caffeine intake, diet, dehydration and lack of sleep are also known factors that increase the chance to develop headaches and migraines. These factors can lead back to an increase in muscle and joint sensitivity which results in pain.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
There are many different causes and triggers for headaches, so it is important to try to address those as best we can. For example, some may be caused by poor sleep habits, bad posture, dietary changes, and stress. Certain lifestyle habits can increase tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. This can lead to increased sensitivity in the joints, muscles, and nerves. Trigger points may develop which amplifies headaches and migraines.
Our Physiotherapists have years of experience treating headaches and migraines. We take a holistic approach in our treatment to help our clients. Some of our clients have suffered years of headaches and migraines. They have resigned to the thought that they need to live with it for the rest of their lives. You do not have to believe that, and we have many clients to prove that it is not true.
Physiotherapy Treatments For Headaches And Migraines
Our Physiotherapists may use various combinations of Eastern and Western treatment techniques. This will depend on your tolerance, needs, and recommendations from our Physiotherapists.
Manual Therapy
Using specific joint mobilizations and soft tissue techniques. Manual therapy can help loosen stiff and irritable joints and muscles.
Dry Needling/IMS
IUsed to desensitize painful joints/muscles and speed up recovery. Can also help release trigger points that are resistant to manual therapy and massage.
Acupuncture
Used to help provide homeostasis and balance to the body. It can also help promote relaxation, improve circulation and decrease stress.
Cupping Therapy
Used to help promote blood flow to affected areas. Can also promote relaxation of soft tissues
Exercise Therapy
Teaches you proper stretches and strengthening exercises. Exercises can help alleviate stiffness, weakness, and imbalances in the body.
Common Areas of Headaches
Vertex Headaches
A vertex headache causes pain at the top of the head, often feeling like pressure or a heavy weight on the skull. It can result from tension, poor posture, migraines, dehydration, or neck strain. Symptoms may include tightness, dizziness, or sensitivity to light. Proper hydration, posture correction, and relaxation techniques can help.
Temporal Headaches
A temporal headache causes pain in the temples, the sides of the head near the eyes. It can result from stress, tension, migraines, jaw issues (TMJ), or sinus infections. Symptoms may include throbbing, tightness, or sensitivity to light and sound.
Retro-Orbital Headaches
A retro-orbital headache causes pain behind the eyes, often linked to eye strain, migraines, sinus infections, or cluster headaches.