Bye-Bye Headaches: How Physical Therapy Can Help You Feel Better
Ever had a headache so bad it ruined your whole day? Or maybe you’re one of the millions of people who get migraines that knock you out for hours or even days.
If you're tired of popping pain pills or sitting in a dark room waiting for the pain to pass, there's good news: physical therapy might be the relief you've been searching for.
Wait…Physical Therapy for Headaches?
Yep! You probably think of physical therapy as something you do after surgery or a sports injury. However, it’s also a powerful tool for treating certain types of headaches, particularly when muscle tension, posture issues, or joint stiffness are involved.
Many people don’t realize that their neck, shoulders, and upper back may be the source of their headaches. When muscles in those areas get tight or joints don’t move well, it can put pressure on nerves or blood flow, and boom, here comes the pain.
Types of Headaches Physical Therapy Can Help
Physical therapists are great detectives. We help determine the cause of your pain and recommend effective solutions. Some common headache types we treat include:
Tension Headaches – These feel like a tight band around your head. Often caused by stress, poor posture, or tight neck muscles.
Cervicogenic Headaches – These start in the neck and spread to the head. The pain usually stays on one side and can get worse with movement.
Migraine with a Musculoskeletal Trigger – While migraines are more complex and often linked to the nervous system, physical therapy can help reduce how often they happen or how bad they feel when tight muscles or bad posture play a role.
Common trigger point referral patterns that contribute to headaches.
Image Reference: César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Hong-You Ge, Cristina Alonso-Blanco, Javier González-Iglesias, Lars Arendt-Nielsen, Referred pain areas of active myofascial trigger points in head, neck, and shoulder muscles, in chronic tension type headache, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, Volume 14, Issue 4, 2010, Pages 391-396, ISSN 1360-8592, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2009.06.008.
What Physical Therapy Does
When you come to PT for headaches or migraines, we take a comprehensive approach. You’ll get a plan that may include:
Hands-on techniques – Gentle mobilization to loosen stiff joints and release tight muscles.
Stretching and strengthening – To fix imbalances and support better posture.
Postural training – Many people work at a desk all day and don’t realize their head is basically doing a plank 24/7!
Stress Management Strategies – Breathing, Relaxation, and Tips to Reduce Tension Before It Turns into Pain.
Wellness Coaching – Identifying and managing triggers, such as specific foods, beverages, hydration levels, and sleep quality, can help reduce the intensity and frequency of symptoms.
Trigger point release, trigger point dry needling, cupping therapy – Ever had someone press a spot on your neck and instantly feel a headache coming or going? We know where those spots are and how to help.
Neck Weakness test
Quick tests for neck weakness.
Lay on your back, tuck your chin to your chest, and lift your head off the ground. You should be able to hold this position with your chin tucked for 30-40 seconds.
Lay on your stomach at the edge of your bed so your neck and head hang off. Tuck your chin like you’re going to make a double chin and raise your head to neutral. You should be able to hold that position for more than 20 seconds.
Trust us, it’s not as easy as it looks!
Real Relief, Backed by Science
Studies have shown that physical therapy can reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of certain headaches.
And the best part? It’s a safe, drug-free option that treats the root of the problem, not just the symptoms.
When to See a Physical Therapist
If your headaches:
Happen often
Are triggered by certain positions or movements
Start in the neck or shoulders
Don’t improve with medication
…it might be time to try physical therapy.
We’re here to help you take your life back from pain.
Final Thoughts
Headaches and migraines can be frustrating, but you don’t have to suffer in silence. With the right plan and the right support, you can feel better.
So go ahead. Reclaim your mornings. Laugh more. Move more. Live more.
Need help with headaches?
Let’s talk. Our physical therapists are ready to help you feel better, one step (and stretch, exercise, and prevention measure) at a time. We have clinics located throughout Central Wisconsin and virtual options to help meet your needs.