Physical Therapy for Headaches

What is the initial evaluation for headaches?

Our Physical Therapists spend about an hour on the initial evaluation. Their first concern is what is causing the headache or what type of symptomatic picture does the patient present. Second is what can they do to exacerbate the symptoms to help them localize the pain. Third is what procedures can they perform to alleviate the symptoms or at least change the clinical picture.

What physical therapy approaches are most helpful for chronic headache sufferers?

Our physical therapists look to determine if the use of effective treatments can help identify underlying causes creating your headaches. Trigger points, vertebral misalignments, spastic muscles and previous auto accidents and sports injuries that can alter the position of the neck causing headaches.

Does physical therapy produce permanent pain relief?

That depends. When a physical therapist can get at the root of a problem, such as poor mobility in a joint or muscle spasm or postural dysfunction, and address that problem, the results can be longer lasting. The patient may need to perform a few exercises in order to maintain the improvement.

How do you define a successful physical therapy outcome for headaches?

Pain decreases and life becomes easier. Daily activities are not so difficult. Range of motion is restored. Physical activity and exercise can be resumed without increasing pain. However, the most successful outcome is when a patient feels that success has been achieved and established goals have been met.

What is our multi-functional approach in solving headaches?

Our practitioners function as a group when treating problems. When treating a headache sufferer we jointly use the best of Chiropractic, Pain Management and Physical Therapy to help achieve your goals. Where is neck misalignment Chiropractic aligns the neck and reduces compensation and spasms. Where there are active trigger points pain management helps to reduce spasms and pain. Physical therapy works to provide relief of muscle spasms and pain by using soft tissue techniques. They also help in supporting the neck by strengthening the muscles. They also counsel on the use of pillows, sleeping positions and other forms of exercise that can be performed at home.

The most important part of care begins with the initial consultation where one of our doctors will sit down with you and listen to you describe your condition. We will then make a recommendation for your approval to begin care. Our approach will differ depending on your case and as you well know not every headache is the same, so the treatment must match the problem.