If you’re one of the 47% of the global population who experiences regular headaches, you’ll know they’re no laughing matter. For some people, they’re just a minor inconvenience, for others they can be utterly debilitating, condemning you to a dark, quiet room for hours, and sometimes even days. We’ve put together this headache information page to help out patients.
Successfully diagnosing a headache gets complicated, because more than 130 distinct disorders have been identified along with over 300 triggers, which makes a headache almost as unique as an individual.
You can also simultaneously suffer one, two or more types of headache or a migraine at the same time, where one may cause another, or overlap with each other. These are known as mixed or multi-source headaches and can take longer to resolve as your therapist works through treating the different causes. For example, a dysfunctional painful neck can cause an increase in surrounding muscle spasm, which will increase your blood pressure. In this scenario, you could have a cervicogenic (neck) headache, with a tension headache and a resultant migraine!
The most commonly diagnosed headaches are:
- Migraines
- Tension headache
- Cervicogenic headache (originating from the neck)
- Sinus headaches
If you only suffer from the occasional headache, this is often caused by lifestyle factors such as:
- Frequent pain-killer use
- Dehydration
- Stress
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Some foods
- Skipped meals
- Lack of sleep
- Posture
- Muscular tension
- Medications
- High blood pressure
- Infection
- Hormonal influences
However, if you suffer from headaches more regularly, there is some good news, because two of the most common headaches, tension-type headaches and cervicogenic headaches (which originate from musculoskeletal issues in and around the neck) can be significantly improved, and even cured by physical therapy, both in the short term, as well as the long term.
There is a robust body of research, as well as clinical evidence, showing that physical therapy is an extremely effective treatment for certain types of headache.
Manual, hands-on therapy mobilising your neck can be hugely beneficial in eliminating your headache; or at least reducing the intensity and duration of the headache.
Soft tissue work including trigger point therapy and massage, can be effective in relieving spasm in the head and neck muscles which may contribute to your headache. Massage has also been shown to help people cope better during headache episodes, reducing associated stress and anxiety.
Acupuncture and ultrasound are additional therapies that could help with neck or cervicogenic headaches, and sinus headaches.
In addition, poor posture and repetitive movements in your daily life, have also been shown to increase the risk of experiencing headaches as they can cause muscle imbalances, muscle weakness and strain the ligaments and soft tissues in the joints of your neck. In these cases corrective exercises to strengthen weak muscles and stretch tight muscles can be extremely effective.
BOOST PHYSIO is a leading private physiotherapy practice with high street clinics across North West London. We have 5 branches in the following areas: . Branches of our physiotherapy practice are in Elstree WD6, Cricklewood NW2, Hampstead NW3, Hendon NW4 and East Finchley N2.
Our private physiotherapy clinics treat patients from all over North West London and North London. We provide same day expert private physiotherapy treatment for sports injuries, neck and back pain. Appointments are available 8am to 9pm and we even have Saturday and Sunday appointments available.
Patients come for physiotherapy from the following areas: Hendon NW4, Mill Hill NW7, Cricklewood NW2, Hampstead NW3, Kilburn NW6, Queens Park, Finchley Road, Golders Green NW11, Swiss Cottage and Willesden Green NW10. Fortis Green, Muswell Hill, Highgate N6.
Our physiotherapy clinic in Elstree WD6 provides physiotherapy treatment to patients from Elstree, Borehamwood, Physiotherapy for Stanmore HA7, Physiotherapy for patients from Edgware HA8, Bushey physiotherapy WD23, Radlett WD23, Physio for Aldenham.
If you do have any issues that need attention please book an appointment at one of our 5 High Street Physiotherapy clinics.
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