Headaches have affected up to 75% of adults globally over 18 within the past year. They’re debilitating and can greatly impact a person’s quality of life.
Physical therapists can help you learn more about your tension headaches; they can also help you find treatment for them. There are three techniques your physical therapist is likely to include in your tension headache treatment plan.
What are tension headaches?
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache in adults and teens. They occur when the neck and scalp muscles contract or become tense, and they can happen at any age. Tension headaches generally start at the back of the head and progress to the top of the head and eyes. Sometimes facial pain along the jaw and cheeks accompanies the headache. They have been compared to wearing a tight hat, having hair pulled or a squeezing of the head from the ears inward.
This type of headache often appears as a result of:
- Poor head and neck posture
- Increased stress
- Neck or jaw conditions
- Fatigue
- Cervical osteoarthritis
These three therapy techniques could be used in your tension headache treatment
Your physical therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation of your health history and a careful physical examination. They will ask you a series of questions to determine the type of headache you’re experiencing and determine the most effective tension headache treatment plan for you.
Three of the therapy techniques that your plan could include are:
- Manual therapy — Anytime a physical therapist uses their hands to move or manipulate the affected area, it’s called manual therapy. This technique allows your physical therapist to stretch neck muscles that are too tight and causing your headaches.
- Graston Technique® — This technique is a type of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM). Its goal is to reduce muscle tension using specially designed metal tools. Graston Technique sessions can also help improve blood flow in your neck’s soft tissue.
- Therapeutic exercises — Strengthening your neck can be done with specific therapeutic exercises. Fitter neck muscles provide better support and stability for your cervical spine and head. They can also help you maintain better neck and head posture during daily activities.
Panther Physical Therapy offers effective tension headache treatment
Tired of having to live with recurring tension headaches? Our specialists at Panther Physical Therapy can help you find effective tension headache treatment. We’ll start by performing a free screening on you. This gives our team the opportunity to learn the source of your headaches. Then, our specialists will construct a personalized physical therapy plan for you designed to reduce headache pain and frequency.
Is your pain keeping you stuck at home? No problem! We offer virtual therapy and at-home care appointments that you can do without even getting off the couch. In addition, you can begin using our therapy services even if you don’t yet have a doctor’s referral.
Contact our team today for more information about how we can help treat your headaches or to schedule your free screening.