Severe headaches can be caused by many things and it’s good to see your physician for a firm diagnosis and to make sure there are no serious problems. Below are six ways that physiotherapy can help rid you of this discomfort if you are confirmed to have cervicogenic headaches.
1. Posture Analysis
A physiotherapy specialist will conduct a complete analysis of your total posture and how it affects and contributes to cervicogenic headaches. You can place unintentional stress on your muscles and tendons that are located in the cervical spine area, neck, and shoulders by the way you walk, sit, and stand. Slouching, leaning, and drooping shoulders are three of the biggest culprits. You’ll become more aware of your posture and how to correct any problems that make headaches worse.
2. Desensitization Therapy
A condition called central sensitization can happen when cervicogenic headaches happen over a long period of time. You’ll end up experiencing pain by doing the slightest of activity that would not otherwise bother anyone. A therapist uses a variety of techniques to desensitize the sufferer.
3. Activity Modifications
People that live and work in sedentary environments are at higher risk of cervicogenic headaches. Having to stare at a computer monitor or sit at a desk for hours on end can stress all of the cervical spine, neck, and shoulder muscles. Modifying activities and changing your environment can help resolve these problems.
4. Manual Massage and Manipulation
Proper muscle manipulation and massage can break the chain of nerve messages that the brain receives as pain. It’s also a way to help relax tense muscles that stress the head and neck area out even more.
5. Exercises to Strengthen Muscles
Most people think of the abdomen, arms, and legs when it comes to exercising and strength-building. All of the muscles in the body can benefit from an exercise routine. Physiotherapy programs that focus on developing an exercise routine to strengthen the muscles of the neck, shoulders and upper back can help alleviate symptoms and reduce incidences of cervicogenic headaches. For additional insights, you may want to visit Dr Keogh to learn more information.
6. Methods of Relieving Tense Muscles
A physiotherapist can use a combination of all the above techniques to relieve tension in the muscles that create the foundation for cervicogenic headaches. Thermal therapies and hydrotherapy can also prove helpful. The relief experienced will depend on the individual responses to each procedure, but the great thing is the treatment can be customized to match your response levels.
If you’re diagnosed with cervicogenic headaches, true relief can be had by incorporating physiotherapy into your treatment plan. You can experience fast relief and begin to see an immediate reduction in headaches.