top of page
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Dr. Melody Medley-Keith

Migraine and Headache Pain Relief

Updated: Apr 30, 2021

A migraine is a neurologic disease in which causes a severe recurring throbbing pain to one or both sides of the head. A migraine is often accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to touch and smell, tingling or numbness in the extremities or face and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for hours to days, and the pain can be so severe that it interferes with your daily activities.


Although, there are many medications that are marketed for migraines physical therapy has been proven to decrease and/or resolve the intensity, frequency, and duration of the migraine through a variety of physical therapy interventions, manual therapy, education, and modalities. The goals of physical therapy interventions are to focus on the primary aspects, such as, musculoskeletal dysfunctions, vestibular symptoms, and postural impairments.


Why do we focus on these primary aspects? Musculoskeletal dysfunctions such as reduce cervical range of motion, temporomandibular disorders, decrease cervical and shoulder girdle strength, increase sensitization in the facial, occipital, and cervical region, poor posture, and poor proprioception are common provocation for migraines. Vestibular symptoms associated with migraines can be present during or after a migraine that affect the physical and functional domains as well as present deficits in postural control/impairments.



What can headache patient do?

Incorporating physical therapy interventions that are tailored to each patient such as: relaxation techniques, postural interventions, aerobic exercise, aquatic exercise, manual therapy, modalities (dry needling, ultrasound, cervical traction), vestibular rehabilitation and education can help improve your self-efficacy and achieve a better quality of life with reduce the intensity, frequency, and duration of migraines.


Tip:

You can make a big difference just by adjusting your posture and incorporating breathing techniques.






Watch our Headache Relief Seminar on YouTube:



10 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page