Migraines and Your Physical Therapist

There is a difference between a true migraine headache and some other problems diagnosed as migraines, which we can treat. According to WebMD, migraines are believed to be triggered by hyperactive nerve cells that cause constriction and dialation in the blood vessels of the brain - I CAN DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HELP YOU WITH THOSE. That is a neurological and circulatory problem which is best treated by medication. Migraines can be triggered by light, emotional stress, food, or menstrual periods.


What we CAN help you with are cervicogenic headaches, occipital neuralgia, or whatever other label your doctor may give to your problem. Cervicogenic headaches typically start in the neck and/or base of your skull. They can radiate either up over the top of your head, or around the sides (where a bald guy still has hair), and as far forward as the eyes and face in some people. In addition, many people experience nausea and vomitting.

HOW DO A FIX IT?

First allow me to list the possible causes of your cervicogenic headaches.

1. Immobile thoracic spine causing compensatory, excessive, movement in the neck
2. Poor posture
3. Overuse of posterior neck muscles
4. Weak muscles in the front of your neck
5. Limited motion in the cervical spine


If you have a physician who understands the physical therapist's role in treating cervicogenic headaches, or you live in a state with direct access to PTs, it should be very easy to treat you and completely abolish the problem. Your PT should be able to put you through a series of movements to determine which ones reduce your symptoms and which exacerbate the condition. Some of the treatments shown to work in multiple research studies, as well as in my practice, are cervical/thoracic manipulation, stretching, posture education, functional training and repeated motions.

If possible, on the evaluation day, you will be sent home with exercises to manage and abolish your symptoms. No matter how long you've had this problem, there is an excellent chance of it being completely cured!



WHAT WILL HINDER MY PROGRESS?

I have learned over the years that sitting at a computer for 16 hours a day is a great way to guarantee you never get relief. In addition, if you are inconsistent with your home exercises or unable/unwilling to practice better posture, your outcomes will suffer.


Cervicogenic headaches are a relatively easy condition to treat for an experienced physical therapist. You should expect significant, rapid, success with your treatment.