Physical Therapy Protocol for Migraine Treatment

What is migraine disorder?

There are many different types of headaches that can be treated by a physical therapist, including tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, migraines, and headaches that are secondary in nature (i.e. resulting from an illness). Migraines are usually severe headaches that are most often on one side of the head, can cause nausea/vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Additionally, but not always, they can be associated with an aura, that occurs just before or at the start of the migraine and can include visual disturbances, numbness and tingling, and/or difficulty with language.

How does physical therapy affect migraine?

A physical therapist can help with the pain associated with a headache, including a migraine. They can help determine if there is musculoskeletal involvement in the cause of the headache and provide pain relief techniques to mitigate symptoms and provide long-lasting relief. If you have a headache, call Release Physical Therapy today to schedule your appointment and get your pain under control.

What are the benefits of doing migraine physical therapy?

Sometimes migraines are associated with musculoskeletal pain, including neck and upper back stiffness and jaw tightness. Physical therapists can help decrease or resolve the intensity, frequency, and duration of headaches, as well as provide some lifestyle changes that may affect the onset, resulting in the need for less medication. Additionally, they can improve your neck and back function and mobility, improve the ease of motion in the neck and improve your overall quality of life.

What are some of the best techniques for migraine physical therapy?

Manual therapy and lifestyle changes are the best ways to treat a migraine. Your physical therapist at Release Physical Therapy can use many styles of manual therapy, dry needling, shockwave treatment, and more to reduce neck, upper back, head, and face tension and tightness and reduce the need for medication.

Are there any risks associated with migraines for someone who wants to do physical therapy?

Your physical therapist at Release Physical Therapy will work with you to determine your best treatment. They will listen to your symptoms and work with you to meet your goals. Occasionally, exercise can trigger a migraine, so your therapist will work on manual therapy techniques to calm down your nervous system and work on breathing strategies to reduce tension and improve symptoms.

How To Know When it’s Time to See a Physical Therapist About Migraine Headaches

Anytime you experience pain in your musculoskeletal system, it’s a good time to reach out to a physical therapist. Release Physical Therapy has a team of experts that strive to give you individualized care, assess your symptoms, and figure out a plan of care to help you achieve your goals and reduce your pain. Call Release Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment today.

How often should someone do physical therapy for migraine symptoms?

Your physical therapist at Release Physical Therapy will design a plan of care that is individualized to you. Each patient has different needs and the frequency of care is determined based on those needs. Some patients will need more frequent visits initially to help with acute pain and will lessen the frequency of visits as the symptoms improve. Talk to your physical therapist to determine the best frequency for you.

How long does it take to see results from migraine physical therapy?

Migraines vary in intensity and duration a lot. More severe and frequent migraines will take longer to treat than migraines with reduced intensity, decreased associated symptoms, and decreased duration. Your physical therapist at Release Physical Therapy will do their best to mitigate your symptoms as quickly as possible and provide you with home tips and exercises to reduce the intensity, frequency, and duration of your migraines.