{"id":75319,"date":"2025-12-09T11:29:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T17:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pdrehab.com\/?p=75319"},"modified":"2026-04-03T12:44:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T17:44:38","slug":"physical-therapy-for-headaches-and-migraines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pdrehab.com\/en\/physical-therapy-for-headaches-and-migraines\/","title":{"rendered":"Physical therapy for headaches and migraines"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Headaches and Migraines \u2013 How Physical Therapy Can Help<\/h1>\n

A friendly guide for the Polish community in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

Headaches are one of the most common complaints we see at PD Rehab in Mount Prospect, on the northwest side of the Chicago area. They can have many different causes, and in many cases, they are not related to serious neurological disease. Firstly, it is essential to understand that headaches are often associated with neck tension, muscle strain, stress, or impaired blood flow to the head and neck region. This is why, for many people, physical therapy for headaches and migraines turns out to be more effective than medication alone. Moreover, it targets the root cause of the problem, rather than merely suppressing pain for a short time.<\/p>\n

Secondly, some patients experience migraines, but migraines often coexist with neck tension, stress, or problems in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Therefore, a proper physical therapy assessment helps us better understand where the pain comes from and how to treat it effectively.<\/p>\n

The most common types of headaches<\/h2>\n

Tension-type headaches<\/h3>\n

Tension-type headaches are the most common type of headache. They usually appear during stress, prolonged computer work, poor posture or chronic tension in the neck and shoulder muscles. Patients often describe them as pressure, a \u201cband\u201d around the head or a heavy feeling that gets worse as the day goes on. Stiffness in the neck and a constant feeling of tight muscles are also very common.<\/p>\n

Cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches<\/h3>\n

Cervicogenic headaches have their source in the cervical spine. They may develop, for example, due to overloaded joints, deep muscle tension or irritation of cervical nerves. The pain often radiates from the neck to the back of the head, the temples or around the eye. Importantly, it often gets worse after long periods of sitting, looking down at a phone or doing desk work.<\/p>\n

In such cases, physical therapy for cervicogenic headaches is very effective, because it addresses the structures that actually cause the pain \u2013 the neck, muscles and nervous system.<\/p>\n

Stress-related headaches and migraines<\/h3>\n

In addition,<\/strong> chronic stress affects the nervous, vascular and muscular systems. That is why headaches often appear after an intense, \u201cstressful\u201d day. They may also show up during periods of low mood, emotional tension or insomnia. Sometimes a patient wakes up already with a headache \u2013 very often this is related to night-time teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism) or an improper neck position during sleep.<\/p>\n

In such situations, a treatment plan that combines hands-on work on the tissues with teaching better stress and tension regulation works particularly well. This gives the body a better chance to function more calmly and without pain.<\/p>\n

When should you see a physical therapist for headaches and migraines?<\/h2>\n

You should consider seeing a physical therapist for headaches and migraines especially when:<\/p>\n