1300 392 552Our physiotherapists in Highett are committed to helping with your injuries and chronic pains. That includes recurring pain, previous injuries and other musculoskeletal issues.
What you may not know is that our commitment to relieving pain can also extend to chronic headaches!
We know – physiotherapists and headaches aren’t exactly two things you put together. Take it from us however – recurring headaches are something we may be able to help you with!
How so?
The two types of headaches, explained
Before we explain how our Highett physio team can help with headaches, we first need to explain the two different types of headaches:
- Primary headaches
- Secondary headaches
The type of headache you’re suffering from can directly impact what sort of treatment is most appropriate. In particular, it can determine whether or not physiotherapy is suitable, so you’ll want to pay close attention to what we’re about to say!
Primary headaches
Like the name suggests, primary headaches are the most “direct” type of headache for lack of a better word. The causes of these headaches are problems with the pain-sensitive structures of the head, such as brain tissue, nerves or blood vessels.
In some cases, primary headaches may be the result of overactivity – just think back to every stress headache you’ve ever had!
Primary headaches come and go depending on a range of factors:
- Stress
- Hydration
- Environmental factors
- Alcohol
- Poor sleep
- Lifestyle factors
- Tension
Honestly, the list of factors is way too numerous to include here – if you want to see all of them, you can click this link.
That said, the main thing to remember is that primary headaches are localised to the brain and head. They are not the result of an underlying disease or condition..
That said, if you regularly get headaches of either type, you should talk to a GP, just in case!
Secondary headaches
The defining feature of secondary headaches is that they aren’t caused by a problem in your brain or head – rather, the issue lies elsewhere.
In many cases, secondary headaches are a symptom of a health problem elsewhere in your body – just look at how many conditions and illnesses list headaches as one of their symptoms!
Some of the things that can cause a secondary headache include:
- Ear infection
- Sinus infection
- Blood clots
- Concussion
- Reaction to medication
Most importantly, it can also include problems elsewhere in your body – problems that an Highett physio can treat for you.
Headaches as a symptom of neck pain
We’ve talked before about referred pain. Just in case you missed that article however, referred pain is when the pain you feel is actually the result of a problem in a completely different part of your body.
In many cases, headaches can be a type of referred pain – specifically, the root cause may be an issue with your shoulders or neck.
Neck problems are a surprisingly common source of secondary headaches, especially among office workers, drivers, hairstylists and many others who have to crane their heads forward for extended periods of time.
Neck (cervicogenic) headaches may be the result of a range of additional neck issues, including:
- Osteoarthritis
- Prolapsed discs in the neck
- Injury
- Awkward sleeping positions
- Compressed or pinched nerves
Many of these issues result in the sensitive nerves in the neck being impacted, which sends pain signals to the brain, which then misinterprets them as a headache.
Symptoms of cervicogenic headaches
If your headaches are accompanied by neck stiffness and tenderness, chances are the root of the problem lies with your neck.
Other common symptoms of a neck headache include:
- Reduced range of neck movement
- Pain around the eyes
- Shoulder pain
- Pain in one side of the face or head
The pain that comes with a neck headache is non-throbbing and non-stabbing – what’s more, it typically stays isolated to one side of your head.
For these types of headaches, there’s no way to permanently resolve them other than targeting the problem (ie, your neck pain) directly.
How a physiotherapist in Highett can help
If you’re tired of having to constantly reach for that packet of headache tablets, a visit to a physiotherapist in Highett may be in order.
Our experienced physiotherapists can provide physiotherapy for cases of neck pain.
Using our unique AUS system, we’ll zero in on the exact location of your neck pain. This allows us to prescribe a personalised treatment plan that includes a wide range of exercises and routines that can:
- Build up strength and resilience in the affected part of your neck
- Restore motion to your neck
- Encourage and facilitate recovery
In addition to prescribing exercises, we may also provide unique solutions for cases where neck pain is the result of poor posture. We may attempt to adjust your posture, or provide tools and suggestions to reduce the need to crane your neck.
Say goodbye to headaches
Call our Highett physio team today!
We here at Physio AUS are committed to helping you live the most active lifestyle you can, fee of pain and mobility problems.
In addition to neck pains, our experienced physiotherapists in Highett can also look after a range of other musculoskeletal problems including:
- Elbow and arm pain
- Hand and wrist problems
- Back issues
- Hip pain
- Ankle problems
- Knee and leg issues
- Shoulder pain
We help empower you to enjoy a fuller range of motion and to live a more pain-free life.
And sometimes, we get rid of a couple (literal) headaches along the way!
Are you convinced that your headaches come from a neck problem? Has your doctor recommended physical therapy to target the true source of your headaches?
Our doors are open to all who suffer from cervicogenic headaches. Give our experienced physiotherapists in Highett a call today on (03) 9525 6077, or click here to book online.
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