Dealing with headaches on a daily basis can be extremely isolating and exhausting.
Did you know headaches are the third most common type of pain? That’s correct. Headaches are extremely common and can be debilitating, affecting a person’s quality of life.
Fortunately, long-term relief is possible with physiotherapy. A trained physiotherapist can help you get immediate relief from stress-related headaches as well as any other pain conditions or ailments that may be causing you pain.
We’ve described the various types of headaches and their causes, as well as how physiotherapy can help.
If you’re interested in learning more about how physiotherapy can treat headache pain, contact Ability Physiotherapy in Calgary, AB.
What are tension headaches?
Tension headaches often occur as a result of high stress, poor posture, problems with the neck or jaw, fatigue, or arthritis. They can also be encountered when you feel nervous or depressed.
Tension headaches occur when the neck and scalp muscles contract or become tense, and people can start experiencing them at any age, although they’re the most common type of headache in adults and older teens.
Stress-related headaches usually begin at the back of the head and travel to the top of the head and eyes. You can also feel pressure on your face around your jaw and cheeks when you experience this kind of headache.
Many people have related this kind of pain to wearing a tight hat, their hair being tightly pulled back, or a squeezing sensation in the head.
Am I experiencing another type of headache?
Most people experience headaches as they grow older. Many headaches go away on their own and don’t need medical intervention.
However, severe headaches that recur frequently and interfere with quality of life often demand attention from a professional.
First, you must identify the type of headache you’re experiencing. Then from there, a comprehensive treatment plan can be created according to your specific needs for pain relief.
Physiotherapists are skilled at diagnosing different types of headaches and can develop simple strategies for pain relief from stress-related headaches.
Below are 10 common types of headaches, according to Healthline:
- Hypertension
- Rebound
- Exertion
- Post-traumatic
- Stress (tension)
- Migraine or sinus
- Caffeine
- Hormone
- Cluster
If you’re unsure what kind of headache you’re experiencing, no problem! Your physiotherapist will be able to diagnose and treat it accordingly.
3 physiotherapy techniques for addressing headache pain
The end goal of physiotherapy is pain relief. There are some critical things along the way that your physiotherapist will help you address so that you can achieve a decrease in pain.
3 common PT methods include:
- Improved strength and muscle ability. You’ll learn exercises to help strengthen the muscles that control your upper back and neck. This way your posture will improve, and you’ll be able to sit or stand for long periods without experiencing pain and discomfort.
- Adjusting the way your neck moves. Your physiotherapist can use manual therapy to stretch muscles in your neck to relieve pain and increase range of motion.
- Posture improvement. How your posture is held during the day significantly impacts your pain levels and the likelihood of experiencing a stress-related headache. Your physiotherapist will teach you how to improve your posture for a greater quality of life.
How will I benefit from physiotherapy?
A licensed physiotherapist can conduct a complete physical exam of your body and condition, as well as ask you the appropriate questions regarding your health history.
They will be able to figure out what type of headache you’re experiencing and determine the best way to combat it and bring much-needed pain relief.
During your first visit, you can expect most of the following:
- Measurements regarding the range of motion of your shoulders, neck and other relevant parts of the body
- Questions about the types of pain symptoms experienced
- Questions regarding previous injuries to your back, jaw, and head areas
- Tests of your muscle strength
- Examination of your posture while engaged in different activities
- Manual therapy to ascertain the mobility of joints and muscles in your neck
Depending on whether your physiotherapist determines that you’re dealing with stress-related headaches, you will begin to work together to create a care plan that will successfully meet your physical health goals.
If your physiotherapist’s evaluation determines a different type of headache, he or she will likely refer you to a different type of healthcare professional for treatment.
Are you in need of relief? Contact Ability Physiotherapy today!
There is no reason why you need to continue living in constant pain and discomfort when there are so many care options open to you.
Contact our Calgary, AB office today to experience long-lasting pain relief from stress-related headaches and boost your quality of life!
