How do I overcome my headaches?

Severe headaches affect millions of people worldwide. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics find over 25 percent of American adults aged 18 to 44 report the most significant number of debilitating headaches, with women reporting twice as many headaches and migraines as men. After the age of 44, the number of people reporting severe headaches and migraines declines.

Headaches may significantly interfere with your quality of life and ability to attend to daily tasks and responsibilities. Although most headaches are not a sign of a serious health problem, you should always discuss headache symptoms with your physician, especially if you have symptoms of sudden, severe head pain. With that said, physical therapy for headaches can be a very effective tool for reducing pain and overcoming limitations in a natural, non-medication manner. 

How can physical therapy help?

While pain-relieving drugs such as NSAIDs (Aleve, Tylenol, ibuprofen) can relieve the occasional headache, what they can’t do is address the stresses that lead to chronic headache problems. For that level of relief, you need to see a physical therapist.

Our physical therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation that includes an examination of your neck and cervical spine, discussion of your symptoms, and analysis of lifestyle factors that may be sources of stress. This background allows us to create a headache management program largely rooted in the management of stress and its effects.

Your physical therapy treatment program may include: