Physical Therapy for
Migraine and Headaches

Migraine headaches can take on many different forms necessitating highly individualized care plans. Besides headache, migraine can also cause dizziness as well as facial pain. 

Treatment techniques can include manual therapy, strengthening, normalizing of neck motion, and vestibular therapy to address dizziness. 

Discussion of lifestyle factors such as general exercise habits, sleep hygiene, relaxation techniques, and diet are also part of a comprehensive treatment plan. 

Cervicogenic means originating from the neck. Many people do not realize that neck dysfunction is one of the leading causes of headache. 

While disabling, there is ample evidence that physical therapy can help resolve cervicogenic headaches. Any dizziness or pain in the face can also often be of neck origin. 

Treatment will include addressing of musculature imbalances, normalizing of neck motion, manual therapy/massage, and other modalities. 

Click here to learn more about how physical therapy helps with neck pain. 

Tension-type headache is a neurological disorder that involves a dull aching pain around the temporal region of the head. People often describe the pain as a tightening band around the forehead, neck, or even shoulders.

Treatment will involve neck exercises, postural restoration, relaxation techniques, joint mobilization, stretching, and massage. 

Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that results from an impact injury to the head. The field of concussion rehabilitation is rapidly developing and it is well accepted that physical therapy is the gold standard intervention.

Treatment includes neck exercises, vestibular rehabilitation, and vision therapy. Click here to learn more about how physical therapy can help with concussion.  

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) refers to your jaw. When someone has jaw pain or issues with their chewing muscles they are said to have a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). 

People with TMD often experience a “clicking” sensation with opening/closing of the mouth. TMD is intricately related with headache as well as migraine. Issues at the jaw can often trigger headaches/migraine as well as vice versa.

Treatment will include normalizing jaw motion, neck motion, manual therapy, stress management, and therapeutic exercise. 

Click here to learn more about TMJ physical therapy.

A secondary headache refers to a headache that is due to an underlying medical condition. Chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) are all often accompanied by headaches. 

Physical therapy is an integral part of managing chronic pain disorders. Treatment involves pain desensitization, stress management, stretching, and strengthening to address stiffness and fatigue. Click here to learn more about chronic pain rehab. 

Whiplash, also known as a cervical sprain or strain, is a common injury that occurs when the head is suddenly forced backward and forward, often in a car accident. This rapid movement can cause damage to the muscles, ligaments, and joints in the neck. Whiplash can also result from other causes such as sports injuries, falls, or even sudden jolts while sitting or standing. The severity of whiplash can vary from mild to severe. Symptoms may include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, and emotional disturbances.

Click here to learn more about how physical therapy can help with neck and shoulder pain. 

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) are conditions that can contribute to dizziness, headaches, fatigue, and chronic pain. Because they affect the body’s connective tissue and autonomic regulation, symptoms often overlap with migraine and vestibular disorders. Our physical therapy approach can be tailored to address these underlying factors through gentle movement retraining, pacing, and autonomic conditioning.