Headache Treatment

What are Headaches?

Headaches are one of Australia’s most common ailments, with around 15% of the population suffering from them at any given time. They are characterised by pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck region. Headaches can range from mild to severe and last a few hours to several days.

Headaches can be divided into two main categories: primary and secondary. An underlying medical condition does not cause primary headaches, which include tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches. On the other hand, secondary headaches are caused by other medical conditions, such as sinus infections, concussions, or high blood pressure.

What causes headaches?

Headaches are commonly a result of restricted movement within the spinal joints and muscles of the neck, head, jaw and face. Your hands-on headache Physio in Adelaide will ask you questions about your work, how you sleep, any stresses you may have, and observe your posture.

If you have restricted movement in your neck or upper back, spinal joints, nerves, and blood vessels close to your spine or head may become irritated. This can result in tight and overworked neck, head, jaw, or face muscles, which can eventually cause pain in these muscles and headaches.

Are there different types of headaches?

There are many types of headaches, but the most common are tension, cervicogenic, and migraines.

A tension headache feels like squeezing pressure around your head. It can be caused by stress, long work hours, depression, frowning, or squinting, which leads to eye strain. Tension headaches are more common in females than in males. Grinding your teeth at night or clenching your jaw may cause temporal-mandibular joint (TMJ) pain or symptoms and a headache on one or both sides of your head.

Your neck and shoulder posture can strain your neck and spinal joints. If your muscles are tight or knotted, their resting length will be shortened, pulling on their attachment to your neck joints. This may pinch a nerve supplying the sensory part of your head, or the tight muscles can directly pull on your head and scalp. Tension headaches can be constant or intermittent and often occur at the end of the day, week, or month.

Primary Headache

Primary headaches are a type of headache that occurs independently, without being caused by an underlying medical condition. They are the most common type of headache, accounting for about 90%. Primary headaches can be further divided into three main types: tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches.

Tension headaches

Tension headaches are the most common primary headache and are often described as constant pressure or tightness around the head. They can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a few days and usually affect both sides of the head. Tension headaches can also cause sensitivity to light and sound and muscle tenderness in the neck and shoulders.

Migraines

Migraines are another common primary headache characterised by throbbing or pulsating pain on one side of the head. They can also cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines can last anywhere from 4 hours to 72 hours.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are a rare and severe form of headache characterised by recurring episodes of intense pain. 

These headaches are called cluster headaches because they occur in clusters or cycles, with each cycle lasting anywhere from weeks to months. The pain often comes on suddenly, usually during the night, and can last for 15 minutes to 3 hours. It typically affects one side of the head and is accompanied by other symptoms such as redness in the eye, drooping eyelids, and runny nose.

Secondary Headache

Secondary headaches are a type of headache caused by an underlying medical condition. They can range from mild to severe and frequently require treatment for the underlying condition to relieve the headache. Some common causes of secondary headaches include sinus infections, head injuries, high blood pressure, and medication overuse.

Cervicogenic Headache

Cervicogenic headaches originate from problems in the neck or cervical spine. While often mistaken for tension headaches or migraines, they typically present with pain focused on one side of the head. Those suffering from cervicogenic headaches may also experience neck pain, especially on the upper neck, along with pain in the arm or shoulder.

Can physiotherapy treat migraine sufferers?

Migraines affect many of our patients. The triggers for migraines are not yet completely understood. Changes in your circulatory or nervous system in certain sections of the brain and chemical or hormonal imbalances are blamed for causing migraine pain.

There are two main categories of migraines: common and classic migraines. Migraine headache pain is generally unilateral on one side of your head. However, it can cover the entire head.

Migraine pain symptoms usually include severe headaches with throbbing, pulsing, or stabbing pains. They can also cause nausea, loss of appetite, increased sensitivity to light, and altered bodily perception. Patients suffering from migraine pain sometimes experience an aura that may include visual changes and changes in their sense of smell that inform them that they are on the verge of migraine onset.

There are lots of triggers for migraines, such as increased stress, certain foods, particular medications, changes in your sleep patterns, hormonal changes (such as your menstrual cycle or entering perimenopause) and tension in your neck and upper back. Physiotherapy treatment for a migraine – it is our experience that our hands-on physiotherapy treatment can help to reduce the severity and frequency of migraine pain.

Classic migraines

Classic migraines are often preceded by an aura or visual changes and occur more commonly in females. They may also be preceded by mood swings up to a day before their onset. Classic migraines are often more severe than headaches and are usually described as an ache on one side of the front or back of the head or a throbbing, pulsing type of headache pain.

A migraine can also cause other symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and visual changes, including loss of part of one’s field of vision and sensitivity to light. If medication or treatment is taken at the onset of a migraine, it can usually be prevented or its symptoms decreased.

Common migraines

Common migraines often come on with no warning signals. Sometimes, it can be certain foods, drinks, blood sugar levels, or too much or too little sleep that triggers these migraines. The symptoms may be similar to a classic migraine. Most patients report that they need to go to sleep to eliminate this migraine pain.

After common migraines, patients usually wake up exhausted or washed out, with increased sensitivity to vision and hearing. During migraines, it is common for the muscles in your neck, head, and shoulders to tighten and cause your neck joints to stiffen. Hands-on Physiotherapy can treat and reduce muscle tightness and cluster headaches, assist in relaxation, and provide pain relief.

For effective headache treatment in Adelaide, visit our highly qualified physiotherapists at City Physiotherapy. We will help you to manage your headache symptoms and alleviate the pain of any headache type.

FAQS

Can a physiotherapist help with headaches?

A physiotherapist can effectively help with headaches, particularly tension and cervicogenic headaches, using manual therapy, exercises, and lifestyle modifications to relieve pain and improve function.

What is the best doctor to see for headaches?

The best doctor to see for headaches depends on the severity and frequency of your headaches and any underlying causes. It is always essential to start by scheduling an appointment with your general practitioner.

Can physiotherapy help with other types of headaches?

Yes, physiotherapy can also help with headaches like clusters and sinuses. Although these headaches have different underlying causes, physiotherapists can use manual therapy techniques to alleviate symptoms and improve overall function.

How many sessions of physiotherapy do I need for headaches?

The number of physiotherapy sessions you need for your headaches depends on various factors, including the frequency and severity of your symptoms, any underlying conditions, and your response to treatment. In some cases, only a few sessions may be necessary to relieve pain and improve function. However, chronic or complex cases may require ongoing treatment over several weeks or months.