Headache

Headaches are a very common condition that affects many people daily. Headaches can occur due to several different reasons, most commonly due to muscles, joints, nerves, blood vessels, as well as emotions such as stress. There are different types of headaches and they include:

Migraines

Migraines occur in stages, each person may or may not experience each stage differently so it is important to consult with a health professional. The symptoms in each stage include:

  • Stage 1: Change in mood or behaviour which can occur hours/days before the headache

  • Stage 2: Visual, sensory and/or motor symptoms such as vision changes, hallucinations, numbness, changes in speech, and muscle weakness

  • Stage 3: Intense headache with throbbing on one or both sides of the head

  • Stage 4: Decreasing pain that is replaced with increased fatigue, depression and/or anxiety

Tension Type Headaches

These are the most common type of headaches that is usually caused by stress and muscle tightness. Common symptoms for this kind of headache include:

  • Slow onset of headache pain

  • Pain on both sides of the head

  • Feeling like the head is in a vice

  • Pain can involve the back of head or neck

  • These kinds of headaches do not typically cause nausea, vomiting, or light sensitivity

Cluster Headaches

A cluster headache usually occur over multiple weeks or even months. Common symptoms include:

  • Severe pain on one side of the head, usually behind one eye

  • Eyes become red and watery with droopy eyelids and small pupils

  • Eyelid swelling

  • Forehead swelling

  • Congestion or runny nose

How Physiotherapy can help with headaches:

  • Cervical exercises for the head, neck and shoulders that include muscle strengthening, muscle lengthening, nerve gliding and joint ROM

  • Manual therapy including massage, muscle release, dry needling, ultrasound, joint manipulations

  • Other modalities to assist with healing and pain management such as thermal therapies, electrotherapies and techniques to reduce frequency/intensity of headaches

Things to get you started:

  • Hot/cold compresses over the head and neck

  • Gentle massage around the temples and neck

  • Over the counter medications can be effective but it is important to consult with your GP

  • Slow and gentle movements of the head and neck in pain-free ranges