Headaches can affect concentration, sleep, work, exercise and your ability to enjoy everyday activities. Some headaches may be associated with tension or musculoskeletal factors involving the neck, upper back and surrounding muscles.
At Sterling Physiotherapy & Wellness, we provide individualized physiotherapy for headaches in Calgary. Your assessment considers your symptoms, headache patterns, neck mobility, muscle tension, posture, movement and factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Your rehabilitation plan is tailored to your presentation and may include manual therapy, mobility exercises, postural and movement retraining, relaxation strategies and targeted strengthening.
Physiotherapy may be appropriate for some headaches with a musculoskeletal or neck-related component. Your physiotherapist will also screen for signs that may require assessment by another healthcare professional.
Our goal is to help you improve movement, manage contributing physical factors and develop strategies that support your daily activities and overall function.
If headaches are recurring or affecting your daily life, Sterling Physiotherapy & Wellness can assess your presentation and determine whether physiotherapy may be appropriate.
Causes
Headaches can have many different causes. Some headaches may have a musculoskeletal or neck-related component, while others may require medical assessment and management.
Physical factors that may contribute to certain headaches include:
- Neck stiffness
- Muscle tension
- Reduced cervical mobility
- Prolonged sitting
- Sustained computer or screen use
- Poor movement habits
- Upper-back stiffness
- Muscle weakness
- Repetitive activities
- Stress-related muscle tension
- Previous neck or head injuries
Physiotherapy does not treat every type of headache. A thorough assessment can help determine whether physical and musculoskeletal factors may be contributing to your symptoms.
Signs & Symptoms
Headaches can present differently from person to person.
Symptoms may include:
- Head pain or pressure
- Pain associated with neck stiffness
- Tension around the head or neck
- Upper-neck discomfort
- Shoulder or upper-back muscle tension
- Reduced neck movement
- Headaches associated with prolonged sitting or screen use
- Symptoms that interfere with concentration
- Headaches that affect work or exercise
New, severe or unusual headaches may require medical assessment, particularly when accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
Benefits
When headaches have a musculoskeletal or neck-related component, physiotherapy may help address contributing physical factors.
Potential benefits include:
- Improved neck mobility
- Reduced muscle tension
- Better posture and movement awareness
- Improved upper-back mobility
- Increased neck and upper-back strength
- Improved tolerance for prolonged sitting
- Better strategies for managing physical triggers
- Improved ability to work and exercise comfortably
- Greater confidence with movement
Results vary depending on the type and cause of your headaches.
Treatment Process
Step 1: Headache & Neck Assessment
Your physiotherapist reviews your headache history, symptoms, activities and functional limitations. The assessment may examine neck mobility, muscle function, posture, upper-back movement and other relevant physical factors.
Step 2: Identify Contributing Factors
Your physiotherapist considers whether factors such as neck stiffness, muscle tension, sustained postures, movement habits or physical activity may be contributing to your symptoms.
Step 3: Mobility & Symptom Management
Treatment may include manual therapy and targeted mobility exercises to address relevant neck and upper-back movement limitations.
Step 4: Strength & Movement Rehabilitation
Targeted exercises may be introduced to improve neck, shoulder and upper-back muscle capacity, posture and movement control.
Step 5: Self-Management Strategies
Your physiotherapist can provide individualized strategies for movement breaks, exercise, workstation habits and other physical factors that may support symptom management.
Recovery Expectations
Headache recovery varies significantly depending on the type, frequency, severity and underlying cause of the headaches.
Some people may benefit from addressing contributing musculoskeletal factors, while persistent, recurrent or unexplained headaches may require medical assessment and a broader management approach.
Your rehabilitation plan should be individualized according to your symptoms, response to treatment and daily activities.
Seek prompt medical attention for a sudden, severe or unusual headache, particularly if it occurs with neurological changes, fainting, confusion, fever, significant vomiting, vision changes or follows a significant head injury.
Therapeutic Features & Treatment Scope
- Headache & Neck Assessment
- Cervical Mobility Assessment
- Manual Therapy
- Muscle Tension Management
- Postural & Movement Retraining
- Targeted Strength & Exercise
Frequently Asked Questions
Can physiotherapy help with headaches?
Physiotherapy may help some headaches when musculoskeletal or neck-related factors contribute to symptoms. Assessment is important to determine whether physiotherapy is appropriate.
What type of headaches can physiotherapy help with?
Physiotherapy may be useful for some headaches associated with the neck, muscle tension or musculoskeletal factors. It is not appropriate for every type of headache.
What treatment is used for headaches?
Depending on your presentation, treatment may include manual therapy, neck and upper-back mobility exercises, targeted strengthening, postural and movement retraining, and self-management strategies.
How long does it take to get headache relief?
The response varies depending on the type and cause of the headaches, how frequently they occur and the contributing factors identified during assessment.
When should I see a physiotherapist for headaches?
Consider an assessment if recurring headaches are associated with neck stiffness, muscle tension, posture or movement and are affecting your daily activities. New, severe, sudden or unusual headaches should be medically assessed.
Areas We Serve
Proudly serving Calgary and nearby communities including Airdrie, Okotoks, Chestermere, Cochrane, Langdon, Strathmore, De Winton. Book your appointment today.