Almost everyone experiences a headache at some point. Headaches are a frequent physical complaint and may occur on their own or alongside other symptoms such as neck pain, jaw pain, stiffness, dizziness, or visual disturbance.
At Body Sense Physiotherapy, we commonly assess people experiencing headaches to help determine whether contributing factors such as the neck, upper back, jaw, posture, or muscle tension may be involved.
Headache symptoms can vary significantly in cause, quality, duration, and intensity. They may be described as:
While many headaches are manageable, some symptoms require urgent medical attention.
Seek medical care immediately if you experience:
Physiotherapy is not appropriate until serious medical causes are ruled out.
Physiotherapy can be helpful for certain types of headaches, particularly those classified as primary headaches, where the headache itself is the condition rather than a symptom of another illness.
At Body Sense Physiotherapy, we assess you to help determine what type of headache you are experiencing and whether physiotherapy is likely to be beneficial.
Common headache types we assess include:
Cervicogenic headaches originate from structures in the neck or upper spine. Pain is often referred from the neck to the head.
Common contributing factors:
Tension-type headaches are common and often linked to lifestyle and stress-related factors.
Common contributors:
Migraines are a complex neurological condition. The exact cause is not fully understood and may involve genetic, vascular, and nervous system factors.
Common migraine features:
Migraines are a complex neurological condition. The exact cause is not fully understood and may involve genetic, vascular, and nervous system factors.
Some people experience more than one type of headache, such as a combination of migraine and cervicogenic or tension-type headaches. Identifying contributing factors is important in managing symptoms effectively.
Your Body Sense physiotherapist will perform a thorough assessment, including a review of your health history and a comprehensive physical examination.
This assessment helps determine:
If headaches are predominantly related to the neck, jaw, posture, or muscle tension, physiotherapy may help reduce frequency, intensity, and impact.
Physiotherapy management focuses on addressing contributing factors and supporting long-term self-management. Treatment may include:
Where migraines are associated with neck or jaw pain, physiotherapy may help reduce symptom intensity and support preventative strategies.
We’re now welcoming patients at Pier Street Medical, right next to HBF Park.
