How can physical therapists treat your neck-based headaches?

Neck Headache Treatment

Where do you think many headaches begin? Most people would say in their head, which Mr. Spock would say is only logical. However, it’s incorrect to assume that all headaches begin in the head. 

Many headaches are actually neck-based headaches, which are also called cervicogenic headaches. These headaches begin with a problem in the neck that then triggers a headache. It’s estimated that up to 20% of the people who experience headaches have cervicogenic headaches. A physical therapist has the ability to help you treat your neck-based headaches effectively. They also have many therapy techniques that they can use to do so. 

Three treatment options physical therapists can offer for neck-based headaches

Physical therapists are trained to treat a variety of musculoskeletal disorders, including neck-based headaches. One reason they can effectively treat this type of headache is the many therapy methods that they can bring to bear on the condition. Some of the treatment techniques that can benefit people with cervicogenic headaches include: 

  1. Therapeutic exercises — People with cervicogenic headaches can benefit from several types of therapeutic exercises. One type is relaxation exercises that help reduce psychological stress. 

Another type is stretching exercises intended to reduce tension in the neck muscles. Yet another type is strengthening exercises designed to improve neck support. One medical study shows that therapeutic exercises helped headache patients reduce their pain by nearly 58%. 

  1. Soft tissue mobilization — This technique is also referred to as manual therapy. Soft tissue mobilization (STM) involves physical therapists using their hands to ease tension from soft tissue. It can also help break up specific areas of tension called myofascial trigger points. A headache study reports that patients who used a PT plan that included STM received benefits like: 
  • At least one less headache per week. 
  • Decreasing pain intensity by 30%.
  • Reducing headache duration by more than one hour per headache. 
  1. Spinal mobilization — This technique is also a form of manual therapy. Spinal mobilization occurs when a therapist uses their hands to realign the neck. This can help ease pressure on muscles and injured neck structures, such as herniated discs. Medical researchers from one study reveal that patients who had a PT program that included spinal mobilization had a more than four-hour decrease in headache duration. 

Find effective neck-based headache treatment at SSOR

Ready to find top-notch treatment for your neck-based headaches? Our team at Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation is ready to help you address your cervicogenic headaches. We can start by doing a free screening to pinpoint the neck issues that’s causing your headaches. Then, our specialists can build you a personalized therapy plan designed to:

  • Reduce your pain.
  • Decrease your headache duration.
  • Cut your headache frequency.

We can even help you right in your home if you use our at-home care or virtual therapy services. 

Contact us today for more information about our neck-based headache treatment options or to schedule an initial appointment to begin addressing your headaches.