Headaches and migraines can significantly impact daily life, affecting work, sleep, concentration, exercise, and overall wellbeing. Physiotherapy can help identify physical contributors to headaches and provide treatment aimed at reducing pain, frequency, and severity.

Cervicogenic Headaches

Cervicogenic headaches originate from structures in the neck, including joints, muscles, and nerves. Pain is commonly referred from the cervical spine into the head.

Symptoms may include:

• Headache starting from the neck or base of the skull
• Pain on one side of the head
• Neck stiffness or reduced movement
• Pain triggered by neck movement or posture
• Shoulder or upper back tension
• Headaches associated with prolonged sitting or desk work

Migraines

Migraines are a neurological condition that can cause severe headaches and other symptoms. While physiotherapy does not treat the neurological cause of migraines, it may help manage musculoskeletal contributors such as neck tension, posture, and movement dysfunction.

Migraine symptoms may include:

• Throbbing or pulsating head pain
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Nausea or dizziness
• Visual disturbances or aura
• Neck pain and muscle tension
• Fatigue and difficulty concentrating

Many people with migraines also experience neck stiffness and muscular tightness that physiotherapy can help address.

How Physiotherapy Can Help

Physiotherapy treatment focuses on reducing physical stress on the neck and upper body while improving movement, posture, and muscle function.

Benefits of physiotherapy may include:

• Reduced headache frequency and intensity
• Improved neck mobility
• Reduced muscle tension and stiffness
• Better posture and ergonomic awareness
• Reduced neck-related headache triggers
• Improved strength and stability
• Greater ability to manage symptoms independently

Physiotherapy Assessment for Headaches & Migraines

A thorough assessment helps identify contributing factors and determine whether physiotherapy may assist your symptoms.

The assessment may include:

Detailed History

• Headache or migraine patterns
• Frequency and duration of symptoms
• Triggers and aggravating factors
• Neck pain or stiffness
• Workstation and posture habits
• Sleep and stress factors
• Previous injuries or medical history

Physical Examination

Your physiotherapist may assess:

• Neck mobility and joint stiffness
• Muscle tension and tenderness
• Posture and upper body alignment
• Strength and muscle control
• Head and neck movement patterns
• Balance and functional movement

Physiotherapy Treatment for Cervicogenic Headaches & Migraines

Treatment is tailored to your symptoms and physical findings.

Manual Therapy

Hands-on treatment may help:

• Reduce neck stiffness
• Improve joint mobility
• Relieve muscle tension
• Decrease pain and headache symptoms

Exercise Therapy

Specific exercises may improve:

• Neck strength and endurance
• Postural control
• Muscle coordination
• Upper back stability

Postural & Ergonomic Advice

Poor posture and prolonged desk work can contribute to headache symptoms. Physiotherapy may include:

• Workstation assessment and advice
• Postural retraining
• Movement and stretching strategies
• Activity modification recommendations

Dry Needling & Soft Tissue Treatment

Treatment may target tight muscles in the:

• Neck
• Shoulders
• Upper back
• Jaw region

This may help reduce muscular tension associated with headaches.

Education & Self-Management

Your physiotherapist may provide guidance on:

• Headache trigger management
• Exercise and activity pacing
• Stress reduction strategies
• Sleep positioning
• Home exercises and symptom management techniques

If headaches are severe, sudden, or associated with neurological symptoms, medical assessment is recommended.