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Some valuable information on how physiotherapy can help with headaches Most of us have felt and suffered from headaches in our lives. Some of us even encounter headaches on a monthly or daily basis and it can be very frustrating to take painkillers and other medicines to stop the headache every time. There are a few physiotherapy techniques which can help you get rid of your headaches. Some of such physiotherapy techniques are explained in detail in this article.
Do you or someone you know suffer from frequent headaches? Read to learn how to get rid of them!
HEADACHES & HOW PHYSIOTHERAPY CAN HELP
Even though the majority of the population gets headaches at one time or another, most don’t realize that there are different types of headaches that can be associated with different causes. The most common type of headache and one that generally responds well to Manchester physiotherapy treatment are called a cervicogenic headache. Stiff joints in the upper neck are the primary cause of cervicogenic headaches. Under ideal circumstances, joints are allowed to glide freely to provide pain-free movement of the neck. If a joint, surrounding ligaments or muscles are injured or irritated, the joints can become stiff and cause pain to be referred into areas of the head or around the eyes. Here is a list of symptoms that are generally associated with this type of headache:
Constant and dull ache Slow onset with an unclear cause May be present for days, weeks or even months Stiffness or restricted movement of the neck Pain is worse on one side
In order to properly tackle some of these factors, a full assessment of the neck and upper back is always carried out to provide an accurate focus for the treatment. Some of the treatment methods may include: Joint Mobilizations: Passive movement techniques that aim to restore full pain-free joint range of motion and overall movement of the neck.
Stretching: A regular stretching program is the key in maintaining the flexibility of the neck muscles, which helps maximize function.
Needling (Acupuncture or IMS):
Acupuncture involves insertion of tiny needles to stimulate specific points near the surface of the skin in order to help restore blood flow and alter many conditions. IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation) involves the same needles but follows completely different concept. The needles are inserted directly into a muscle to help relieve any muscle tension that could be irritating surrounding joints or nerves
FEW TIPS TO HELP MANAGE HEADACHES ON YOUR OWN:
Improve your posture while standing & sitting at work, home and even while driving Sit/stand up straight Pull the shoulders back and down Stretch out those muscles! Stretches should be held for AT LEAST 30 seconds (a minute is even better) and done several times throughout the day Keep hydrated!