Headache refers to pain in any part of your head and can vary greatly from mildly bothersome through to severely debilitating. Headaches are divided into two categories: primary headache or secondary headache – with this classification then informing the treatment or management plan.
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Treatment and management strategies depend on the type of headache.
Some strategies you may find useful to try at home include:
- Sitting in a quiet, dark room
- Applying a cold pack to your head
- Applying a heat pack to your neck and shoulders to relieve muscle tension
- Stress or relaxation strategies
- Try and improve the quality of your sleep
- Review your diet and fluid intake
How physiotherapy may help:
- Treatment of the underlying condition for secondary headaches. For example, treatment of the cervical spine, TMJ, whiplash disorders.
- Postural exercises and stretches.
- Manual therapy and soft tissue release for restricted joints and tight muscles.
- Pain management strategies and stress/relaxation techniques.
- Acupuncture/dry needling for pain management, improved circulation and stimulation of the central nervous system.
Anna Mickenbecker – Physiotherapist
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