Do you need headache relief? Sports Medicine Experts is the answer.
Do you suffer from headaches on a regular basis? Are your headaches coming more frequently and lasting longer? Do you notice tension in the upper back and neck every time you get a headache? Physiotherapy is one of the most effective solutions for people suffering from headaches.
Physiotherapists are skilled at getting to the root of your headaches and identifying all the factors contributing to your pain so you can find lasting relief once and for all!
Too often, the assumption is that a headache is just a normal part of being a human being. There are many causes for headaches and even more contributing factors that magnify and extend the duration of a headache.
Physiotherapy is essential for long-term relief if you suffer from frequent headaches. Make an appointment with Sports Medicine Experts today to learn more about how physiotherapy can help with headaches.
What kind of headache am I experiencing?
There are several possible types of headaches you can experience, and getting to the root cause is the key to long-term relief. Whether your headache is caused by a problem with your joints or from tension in your muscles, our physiotherapists can help. We will address the contributing factors, including poor posture or stress, to give you the relief you are looking for.
Recognizing your headache type will help your physiotherapist determine which pain-relieving treatments will work best for you. In many cases, the intensity of your headache is magnified by protective tension responses in the upper back and neck muscles. We will help identify the type of headache you are experiencing and give you effective strategies to minimize the severity and duration of your headaches!
The following are the most common types of headaches:
Cervicogenic headaches
Cervicogenic headaches originate in the cervical spine (i.e., neck). These headaches are most likely caused by dysfunction in the top three joints of the cervical spine. These headaches are more common in people who work in jobs that involve prolonged sitting, like working on a computer all day or driving for a living.
We usually consider poor postural habits to be relatively harmless. But the reality is that they could be putting undue stress on your neck, and if you aren’t careful, this could translate to a headache.
Another common way to trigger pain in your neck that radiates to the head is through weightlifting or other sports-related injuries. The forces that occur while lifting something heavy or participating in a contact sport can begin a cervicogenic headache.
Tension headaches
Tension headaches occur when your neck muscles and the muscles on your scalp become tense or, in some cases, spasm. A tension headache can feel like a tight band around your forehead.
A tension headache is the most common type of headache, but the exact cause is unknown. The muscles are thought to tense up in response to stress, depression, anxiety, or an injury to the head or neck. These headaches are slightly more common in women and tend to run in families.
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches, which occur in cyclical patterns or cluster periods, are one of the most painful types of headaches. A cluster headache typically wakes a person up in the middle of the night with intense pain in or around one eye on one side of the head.
Musculoskeletal headaches
Musculoskeletal headaches are related to injuries or dysfunction in other areas. For example, a concussion or whiplash can lead to persistent headaches from the soft tissue supporting the cervical spine. The source of the headache is an injury, but it persists, in part, from the areas outside the region of the injury itself.
Muscle imbalances, postural problems, or injury to other body regions are the most common causes. Emotional stress can also play a role because of the postures we hold ourselves due to the stress.
Migraine
The exact cause of migraines is unknown, although they’re thought to be the result of temporary changes in the brain’s chemicals, nerves, and blood vessels that cause abnormal brain activity that affects nerve signals. Migraines are also thought to be related to our genes and may be hereditary.
Attacks are usually characterized by painful throbbing or pulsing on one side of the head, which can also be accompanied by changes in vision, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, or sensitivity to sound.
They are often caused by a combination of factors such as your diet, emotional stress, or other environmental reasons. By addressing your “triggers,” your therapist can help you learn to reduce the severity and frequency of your migraine episodes. We will also address the tissues of the upper back, neck, and face to help alleviate discomfort and minimize the severity of the episode.
How will Sports Medicine Experts promote headache relief?
Our highly skilled physiotherapists at Sports Medicine Experts use the most advanced treatment techniques to help you resolve your headache. These treatments typically include targeted manual therapy techniques and specific exercises that address your personal needs.
During your first appointment, your Dundas & Ancaster, ON physiotherapist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation that includes a detailed medical history, possible environmental causes, and a physical examination. Our examination will help us determine the type of headache you are experiencing and the most effective treatment program to resolve your discomfort.
The final piece of the plan will include education and instruction on a home exercise program to maintain your gains and prevent future headaches from occurring.
A physiotherapist can treat headaches using the following methods:
- Increasing or restoring neck range of motion
- Alleviating muscle tension with manual therapy techniques
- Education and instruction on finding and maintaining a natural posture
- Improving strength and mobility for long-term relief
Are you sick of pain controlling you? Visit our Dundas & Ancaster, ON clinic for headache relief!
Physiotherapy may be the key to living a healthier, headache-free life. If you are in Dundas & Ancaster, ON and need headache relief, make an appointment with Sports Medicine Experts today!