Headaches are one of the most common health conditions that affects the population, as anywhere from 50-80 percent of adults over the age of 40 deal with at least one headache a month. If you are bothered with headaches, you’ve probably tried some passive treatment options like getting more sleep, staying hydrated or taking over-the-counter pain relievers, but they may not always do the trick. You may be surprised to learn that physical therapy has actually shown great results in treating certain types of headaches, so below, we explain how and why PT may be your best option if you deal with chronic headaches.
Treating Headaches With Physical Therapy
A lot of patients don’t consider a headache to be a physical ailment in the way we imagine a meniscus tear or muscle damage from a stroke, but a number of headaches are actually caused by problems with the muscles and joints. Because of this, they actually respond well to some forms of physical therapy. But how do you know if your headaches are caused by something that will respond well to physical therapy?
That begins with a diagnosis from your primary physician. If they believe that your headaches are linked to muscle tension in your neck or cervical spine, poor posture or tightness in your shoulder blades, physical therapy could be just what you need. Depending on the root cause of your headaches, your physical therapist may recommend or walk you through a combination of the following treatment techniques:
- Soft tissue mobilization
- Cervical stretching
- Muscle activation and relaxation
- Shoulder, pectoral or spinal stretches
- Mid spine strengthening
- Posture awareness and correction techniques
Physical therapy can work wonders for individuals dealing with headaches caused by a musculoskeletal issue. Some patients come into our clinic with a headache and leave without one, while others need more time to really unlock the issues that are contributing to your headaches.
Twin Cities Physical Therapy
However, the best part about physical therapy for headaches is that we teach you the techniques you need to manage the problem on your own. Instead of calling your primary care physician or scheduling an injection to help calm your headaches, you’ll have the skills you need to manage your headaches when they develop or to prevent them before they occur. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you get a grip on managing and preventing your headaches, or you would like to set up an appointment, give OrthoRehab Rehab Specialists a call today at (612)-339-2041 to reach our Minneapolis office or (952) 922-0330 to talk to our Edina clinic.