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How Physiotherapy Can Help with Headaches

If your headache seems to come from your neck, or if you’ve been dealing with nagging, one-sided head pain, physio might be exactly what you need. We’re not just talking about massages and stretches (although those help too). Physiotherapists take a deeper look at the why behind your headache symptoms, especially when they stem from your neck—commonly known as cervicogenic headaches.

The Physiotherapy Approach to Headache Relief

Understanding the link between neck pain and head pressure is key to long-term recovery. Here’s what your treatment journey might look like:

We start with a detailed consultation: when your headaches started, where the pain is located, and what specific triggers make it worse. Following this, we take a hands-on look at your neck and posture. We'll check your range of motion and muscle tension, performing gentle tests to pinpoint the exact source of the discomfort.

This is where we address the root cause using targeted manual therapy. Techniques may include:

  • Joint Mobilisations: Gentle movements designed to free up stiff neck joints.
  • Mulligan’s SNAGs: Specific targeted mobilisations, particularly at the C1-C2 vertebrae.
  • Soft Tissue Release: Targeted work to alleviate chronic muscle tightness.
  • Trigger Point Therapy: Releasing tender spots that frequently refer pain directly to the head.

Once mobility is restored, we retrain the supporting musculature to prevent recurrence:

  • Chin Tucks: To activate and strengthen the deep neck flexors.
  • Mobility Drills: Shoulder and neck stretches to maintain flexibility.
  • Postural Strength: Targeted exercises to keep your head and shoulders in an optimal neutral position.
  • Chest Openers: Doorway stretches to reduce forward head posture—a major headache trigger.

This provides you with a toolkit for lasting success. We coach you on:

  • Ergonomics: Optimising your posture for sitting, sleeping, and screen use.
  • Desk Habits: Implementing neck-friendly routines during the workday.
  • Trigger Management: Identifying and mitigating lifestyle factors.
  • Recovery: Breathing and stress reduction strategies.

Effective Relief Without Guesswork

If you’re tired of guessing what’s causing your headaches or popping painkillers that only provide temporary relief, a professional assessment is the missing piece. Especially if your pain flares up after long hours at a desk, there is a very high chance physiotherapy can help.

Got questions? Want to book an assessment? Reach out to our team today and let's get you back to feeling your best.

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