How Physical Therapy Helps Chronic Headaches and Migraines
Have you noticed pain on one side of your head? Do you have tension in the neck that radiates up and leaves you with a nagging headache? There are many different types of headaches and various causes for each of them. Fortunately, the therapists at Polishuk Physical Therapy know how to figure out where your headaches are coming from and the quickest way to get rid of them!
If you live with chronic headaches or migraines, myofascial release can help you find relief.
Myofascial release is a manual, hands-on treatment that helps with pain relief by easing the tension in your muscles. It is performed by a physical therapist and focuses on specific pressure points to bring the myofascial back to its elastic form.
Every headache requires a different approach to resolving them, which is why attempting to treat every headache you experience with the same treatment or the same medication doesn’t work. Fortunately, at Polishuk Physical Therapy, our therapists will skillfully address your individual needs.
How myofascial release can help you find relief
If you live with headaches or migraines, you know how painful and debilitating they can be. Attacks are usually characterized by painful throbbing or pulsing on one side of the head, which can also be accompanied by changes in vision, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, or sensitivity to sound.
When the muscles around your neck become tight, your mobility of the affected area becomes restricted, and any movements you make can result in pain. Myofascial release reverses this sensation by loosening up the constricted space, thus promoting more effortless mobility and less pain.
This targeted form of treatment has been known to relieve the pain of chronic headaches and migraines by massaging the tightened muscles around the head and neck and promoting a quicker healing process.
These manual techniques help reduce pain and keep the head and neck moving. They also help chronic headaches, and migraine sufferers sleep better and experience attacks less frequently.
How physical therapy uses myofascial release in your plan
Your therapist will perform a thorough assessment to identify the type of headache you are experiencing and the specific treatments that will be the most beneficial. The main emphasis of physical therapy is giving you the tools to manage your pain.
We will educate you on the most effective exercises and postures to complement our hands-on interventions. Our goals include:
- Reduce pain quickly through myofascial release and other manual therapy techniques
- Reduce pain with postural education and targeted movements/exercises
- Minimize the risk of recurring pain through strengthening exercises and behavioral changes
- Minimize the use of medication or surgery to eliminate pain
Manual therapies, including myofascial techniques, effectively reduce pain. However, when combined with targeted stretches, the results improve even more! Our therapists will identify specific stretches to alleviate pain and restore your motion. In addition, we will educate you on the movements and positions that are provoking your pain.
Next, our therapists will educate you on preventing future episodes through regular exercise. It’s important to address issues when they begin so that they do not worsen over time.
Too often, people wait until they have severe headaches. Typically the longer you wait, the more challenging it is to reduce your pain. Regular manual sessions can reduce and may even prevent future episodes.
Call today to schedule an appointment
If you are experiencing neck pain and/or chronic headaches and you think you could benefit from myofascial release, give our office a call today.
At Polishuk Physical Therapy, our physical therapists will provide you with a thorough evaluation to determine the best ways in which our treatment methods will benefit you. We understand how inhibiting pain and stiffness can be, and we want to help get you back to comfortably living your life!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!