Headache Physiotherapy in Darwin
Understand your headaches, identify contributing factors and develop a practical plan to manage your symptoms.
Headaches can have many different causes. Physiotherapy may be helpful when headaches are associated with the neck, upper back, muscle tension or movement-related factors.
Your physiotherapist can assess your symptoms, movement and physical function to determine whether physiotherapy is appropriate and develop a treatment and management plan around your needs.
Understanding Headaches
Headaches can vary considerably in their location, intensity, frequency and symptoms.
Some headaches have a musculoskeletal component and may be influenced by the neck, upper back, muscle tension or sustained positions.
Headaches that may benefit from physiotherapy can include:
- Tension-type headaches
- Cervicogenic headaches originating from the neck
- Headaches associated with neck pain or stiffness
- Headaches associated with muscle tension
- Headaches that are aggravated by sustained postures or particular movements
Headaches can also have causes that are not appropriate for physiotherapy management. Your physiotherapist will consider your symptoms and medical history and refer you for further assessment where appropriate.
How Physiotherapy Can Help With Headaches
Treatment is tailored to your symptoms, physical capacity and goals.
When headaches have a musculoskeletal component, physiotherapy can help identify contributing factors and develop strategies to manage symptoms and improve physical function.
Your treatment will depend on your symptoms, assessment findings and individual goals.
Assessment & Education
Understand your symptoms and identify factors involving the neck, upper back, movement and physical activity that may be contributing to your headaches.
Hands-On Treatment
Appropriate hands-on treatment may help manage symptoms and improve movement where the neck or upper back is contributing to your headaches.
Exercise Rehabilitation
Targeted exercises can help improve neck and upper-body strength, mobility and movement control where appropriate.
Your Headache Management
Managing headaches is not necessarily about finding one treatment that works for everyone.
Your plan can be adjusted according to your symptoms, triggers, physical capacity and goals.
ASSESS
Understand your symptoms and determine whether musculoskeletal factors may be contributing.
MANAGE
Learn practical strategies to manage symptoms and address relevant contributing factors.
REBUILD
Improve strength, mobility, movement control and physical capacity where appropriate.
MAINTAIN
Build strategies that help you stay active and manage your symptoms over the longer term.
Treatment Options That May Support Your Recovery
Your rehabilitation may include different approaches depending on your type of headache, needs and goals.
Your physiotherapist will recommend treatment based on your symptoms and assessment rather than applying the same approach to every headache.
Exercise Rehabilitation
Targeted exercise to improve neck and upper-body strength, mobility and movement control where appropriate.
Hands-On Treatment
Appropriate manual techniques may be used to help manage symptoms and support movement.
Workplace & Ergonomic Advice
Practical strategies can help address sustained positions, workstation setup and activity patterns that may contribute to symptoms.
Learn More About Headaches
Practical information from The Treatment Room.
Explore our articles for more information about headaches, the neck and factors that may contribute to head and neck pain.
Cervicogenic Headache
Got a headache and neck pain? You might be experiencing a cervicogenic headache.
Headaches
Headaches are common. For some people, they can be persistent and disabling. Physiotherapy can help with a range of different headache types.
Upper Crossed Syndrome
Upper Crossed Syndrome is a common, posture-related condition with an excellent prognosis when exercises and lifestyle changes are targeted.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
You don't need to wait for your neck pain to become a long-term problem.
If neck pain is affecting your movement, work, exercise or everyday life, our physiotherapy team can assess your symptoms and help you determine the most appropriate next step.
