Physical Therapy for Headaches in New Jersey

H

eadaches are common among adults, affecting over 50 percent of people worldwide. They can be categorized into several types based on their causes, symptoms, and characteristics. The most common types of headaches include tension headaches, migraine headaches, cluster headaches, sinus headaches, and cervicogenic headaches.

Each type of headache may have different triggers, symptoms, and treatments. A skilled physical therapist at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) can evaluate symptoms to determine if there is a neck or musculoskeletal component as the cause. Once the cause is determined, an appropriate treatment and management plan can be created.

For cervicogenic headaches, caused by a problem in the neck, physical therapy can help alleviate symptoms. Physical therapy may also help relieve the sensation of pressure in the head experienced by those with tension headaches. The feeling of pressure could signal a serious underlying condition, so it is important to obtain an accurate diagnosis.

With locations throughout northern New Jersey, CNSO helps people find relief from headache pain and treatment for many other medical conditions.

Cervicogenic Headache Causes

Cervicogenic headaches originate from disorders or abnormalities in the cervical spine (neck) and its associated structures. Causes of cervicogenic headaches can include:

• Neck Trauma or Injury: Whiplash from a car accident, a fall, or sports-related injuries can lead to cervicogenic headaches.
• Poor Posture: Prolonged periods of sitting or working in awkward positions that strain the neck muscles and joints can trigger cervicogenic headaches.
• Cervical Spine Disorders: Conditions like osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, cervical spondylosis(wear and tear of the cervical spine), or cervical herniated discs can cause irritation or compression of nerves that contribute to cervicogenic headaches.
• Muscular Issues: Tension, stiffness, or spasms in the neck muscles, especially the suboccipital muscles (at the base of the skull), can lead to cervicogenic headaches.
• Joint Dysfunction: Dysfunction or misalignment of the cervical facet joints (small joints between the vertebrae) can contribute to cervicogenic headaches.
• Post-surgical Complications: Sometimes, cervical spine surgeries or procedures can lead to cervicogenic headaches as a complication.
• Other Medical Conditions: Conditions such as infections, tumors, or vascular problems affecting the neck and cervical spine may also lead to cervicogenic headaches, although these cases are less common.

Treatment for Cervicogenic Headaches

Physical therapy can be effective in treating cervicogenic headaches. Here’s how it can help:

• Postural Education and Correction:Poor posture, especially in the neck and upper back, can contribute to tension headaches. Physical therapists can assess your posture and provide education on how to improve it. They may also teach you exercises to strengthen muscles that support good posture.
• Manual Therapy:Techniques such as soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and myofascial release can help relax tight muscles and improve joint mobility in the neck and upper back, which can alleviate headache symptoms.
• Neck and Shoulder Strengthening Exercises:Weak muscles in the neck and shoulders can contribute to poor posture and tension headaches. Physical therapists can prescribe specific exercises to strengthen these muscles, which can help reduce headache frequency and intensity.
• Stretching Exercises:Tight muscles in the neck, shoulders, and upper back can be stretched to alleviate tension and reduce headache symptoms. Physical therapists can teach you effective stretching techniques.
• Modalities:Therapeutic modalities such as heat, ice, ultrasound, dry needling, or electrical stimulation may be used to help relax muscles, reduce pain, and improve circulation in the affected areas.
• Trigger Point Release:Physical therapists can identify trigger points (localized areas of muscle tightness and tenderness) and use techniques to release these points, which can relieve headache symptoms.
• Biofeedback:This technique can help you learn to control physiological responses such as muscle tension and stress levels, which can contribute to headache relief.
• Cervical Traction:In some cases, traction techniques may be used to gently stretch the cervical spine (neck) and reduce pressure on nerves and discs, potentially alleviating headache symptoms.
• Education and Lifestyle Modifications:Physical therapists can provide education on ergonomic principles, stress management techniques, and lifestyle modifications that can help prevent headaches from recurring.

The specific treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause of the patient’s headaches and the patient’s individual symptoms. A thorough evaluation by a physical therapist will help determine the most appropriate treatment approach.