Headaches & Chronic Pain Management

Can Physical Therapy help with Headaches?

The short answer is yes. 

Headaches can be debilitating.  As someone who has suffered from migraines, I know how much they can impact one's quality of life.  To successfully manage headaches, it is necessary to understand why they are occurring. 

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Headaches can affect daily activities, work performance, and overall quality of life. While many people turn to medication for relief, physical therapy offers a highly effective, long-term solution by addressing the underlying musculoskeletal and neurological factors contributing to headaches. At Mayberry Physiotherapy, I specialize in advanced manual therapy techniques, dry needling, and neuromuscular rehabilitation to target the root causes of headache pain.

This often requires a detailed assessment of contributing factors such as:

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• Muscles and joints in the neck

• Muscles and joints of the jaw

• The Visual System

• The Vestibular System (inner ear)

• Postural and Environmental Triggers

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The Role of the Head, Neck, and Jaw in Headache Management

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The head, neck, and jaw play a critical role in headache development. Dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), cervical spine, or cranial sutures can contribute to tension-type headaches and migraines. Physical therapists assess and treat these areas using manual therapy techniques, including joint mobilizations, myofascial release, and postural correction strategies.

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Poor posture, prolonged screen time, or past injuries can lead to muscle imbalances and joint restrictions in the cervical spine. By improving joint mobility and reducing mechanical stress, we can decrease the frequency and intensity of headaches. Additionally, addressing TMJ dysfunction is crucial, as tension and misalignment in the jaw can contribute to chronic headaches.

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Trigger Points and Their Relationship to Headaches

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Trigger points, or hyperirritable knots in muscles, are a common but often overlooked source of headaches. When present in the neck, shoulders, or jaw, these trigger points can refer pain to the head, mimicking tension headaches or even migraines. Common muscles involved include the upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipitals, and temporalis.

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Trigger points can develop due to stress, muscle overuse, postural dysfunction, or past trauma such as whiplash. Left untreated, these tight bands of muscle fibers maintain a cycle of pain and dysfunction. At Mayberry Physiotherapy, I utilize specialized techniques to identify and release these trigger points, providing relief from headache symptoms.

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Dry Needling: A Highly Effective Treatment for Headaches

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Dry needling is a powerful intervention for reducing trigger points and alleviating headaches. This technique involves inserting a thin, sterile needle directly into the trigger point, causing the muscle to twitch and release tension. The benefits of dry needling include:

• Immediate reduction in muscle tightness

• Decreased referred pain patterns

• Improved blood flow and oxygenation to the affected muscles

• Enhanced mobility and function

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For patients with chronic headaches, dry needling can be a game-changer, providing long-lasting relief when combined with manual therapy and corrective exercises. I am highly trained in this technique, ensuring safe and effective treatment tailored to each patient’s needs.

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The Importance of Evaluating the Vestibular and Visual Systems

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Headaches are not solely caused by musculoskeletal dysfunction—vestibular and visual impairments also play a significant role, particularly in patients with a history of concussions or motor vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, many traditional physical therapy approaches overlook these critical systems.

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The vestibular system, which controls balance and spatial orientation, can become dysfunctional following a head injury or prolonged poor posture. Issues such as vestibular hypofunction or cervicogenic dizziness can contribute to chronic headaches and need to be addressed through targeted rehabilitation exercises.

Similarly, the visual system plays a crucial role in headache management. Eye strain, convergence insufficiency, and poor coordination between the eyes and neck muscles can all lead to chronic headache symptoms. By integrating vestibular and visual rehabilitation into treatment plans, I ensure a comprehensive approach that addresses all contributing factors.

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