Monday 10 March 2014

Headache causes, treatments & physical therapy

Pain of any type that occurs in any part of the head is called a headache. There are many different types of headaches:
  • ·         Migraine and cluster
  • ·         Tension-type
  • ·         Secondary headaches from some kind of underlying condition like fever, contagious disease, sinus disorder, or in very rare cases, a tumor or more serious illness
  • ·         Cranial neuralgias, facial pain, and other headaches

A problem in the neck, head, or jaw such as an injury or arthritis can lead to tension in the muscles at the back of the head and to increased pressure on the nerves to the face and head. Poor posture can cause these muscles to become overworked, which can trigger a headache. Most headaches are harmless and resolve on their own, although severe headaches that recur frequently can affect your ability to do your daily activities and can reduce your quality of life.

There is effective treatment for almost every type of headache. The challenge lies in determining the type of headache, its cause, and in developing an appropriate treatment plan that will reduce both its frequency and intensity. Physical therapists can help determine the type of headache you have and are experts in managing pain from tension-type headaches.

Physical Therapy for headache
Your physical therapist will conduct a thorough examination that includes a review of your health history. Your physical therapist will work with you to correct the problems that are causing your pain and will help you learn to prevent headaches through simple changes in your posture and lifestyle:
  • ·         Improve neck mobility
  • ·         Improve your strength
  • ·         Improve your posture
  • ·         Modify your workstation or home office


For people who experience recurrent tension headache, stress management techniques have been an effective way of helping to decrease headache frequency and severity. This can include regular exercise, deep breathing techniques, and relaxation training. Other non-medicinal approaches can include massage therapy, heat, ice, or acupuncture. Learning to identify stressful situations which trigger headache and taking steps to avoid these is also a useful strategy for many individuals.

Visit Optimum Rehab NYC to avail yourself treatment for headaches. 

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