The role of physiotherapy in the treatment of headache and migraine

Physiotherapy can help in the treatment of headache and migraine and can be one of the most effective treatments for these conditions.

Headache and migraine occur when pain is referred from your neck structures following injury or overuse - this might be from prolonged sitting, prolonged static posture, teeth grinding, or following an accident.

Different types of headaches and location !

Cervicogenic headaches

Pain may be felt in the jaw, forehead, ears or back of the eyes. Usually referred from the top 3 vertebrae in the neck. Manual therapy can bring great relief !

Symptoms can include neck pain and stiffness in the morning and some nausea can occur.

Causes can include

  • Holding one posture for a prolonged time

  • Whiplash

  • Heavy lifting, particularly overhead (for instance painting a ceiling)

Tension headaches

This type of headache can affect your entire head, often symptoms include the feeling that a tight band is wrapped around your head. This type of headache can occur when the muscles in your head and neck contract - with symptoms lasting from a few hours to days at a time. Tension headaches can be mistaken for migraine and the pressure can extend to the back of your neck and, also, cause forehead tenderness.

Causes include

  • Cold and flu

  • Hunger

  • Fatigue

  • Head trauma

  • Too much screentime

  • Over-use of medication

Migraine Headaches

Migraine pain only resides on either the left or right side of your head. On rare occurrences a migraine will wrap around the entire head. This one sided headache can recur until treated.

Symptoms include throbbing pain, nausea, noise and light sensitivity with many possible triggering factors.

Causes include

  • Loud noises

  • Bright / flashing lights

  • Food sensitivity

  • Weather conditions

  • Hormonal changes

  • Dehydration

  • And let’s not forget one of the biggest contributors to all headaches - STRESS !

Should you have a headache, and any of the following symptoms, or are worried about your condition, you should see a gp to rule out anything more serious.

  • Seizures or convulsions

  • Difficulty thinking, speaking or finding words

  • Personality or behaviour changes

  • Weakness, numbness or paralysis in one part or one side of the body

  • Loss of balance, dizziness or unsteadiness

  • Loss of hearing

  • Vision changes

Eilis Kinsella