Three out of every 4 individuals suffer from acute or chronic headaches. Symptoms can include blurred vision, nausea, dizziness, difficulty focusing, and neck pain. The most common type of headaches are tension-type headaches, but at Pro Active Physical Therapy, we also see a high prevalence of patients with migraines and cervicogenic headaches. They can be extremely debilitating and are often misdiagnosed.
Many people do not understand the impact that Physical Therapists can have on alleviating headaches. As PTs, we often treat cervicogenic headaches which stem from the neck and radiate into different portions of the head. Most commonly, patients will complain of pain in the retro-orbital region (behind the eye) on one side only. With a combination of manual treatment, including spinal manipulation/mobilization to the affected segments in the neck, Dry Needling, soft tissue mobilization, and specific exercises, we can significantly decrease the frequency, intensity, and duration in which an individual is experiencing their headaches.
Tension headaches and migraines can also be treated, as the studies have shown that 94% of these headaches have a cervicogenic component to them. With a correct diagnosis and treatment plan, patients will quickly find relief and return to activities that were once significantly affected. All of our therapists are highly qualified to diagnose and treat different classifications of headaches, so don’t live another day with pain. Give us a call and get back to life as you once knew it!
Written by Tyler Ready, PT, DPT, Cert SMT, Cert DN, Cert. VRS, Dip. Osteopractic