Headache Treatment Geelong
Headache Treatment at The Manx Myotherapy
Headaches can be frustrating, particularly when they keep returning or are accompanied by neck stiffness, shoulder tension or discomfort around the head and jaw.
At The Manx Myotherapy in Geelong, we assess whether musculoskeletal factors may be contributing to your headaches and develop an individual treatment and management plan based on what we find.
Treatment may include hands-on myotherapy, massage, dry needling, joint mobilisation and targeted exercise where appropriate.
Can Your Neck Contribute to Headaches?
Sometimes, yes.
Headaches can have many different causes, but in some people structures around the neck and upper back can contribute to headache symptoms.
You may also notice:
Neck pain or stiffness
Reduced neck movement
Shoulder or upper-back tension
Symptoms aggravated by certain neck movements or positions
Headaches associated with prolonged desk work
Discomfort around the base of the skull
Jaw tension or discomfort
This is why your appointment starts with an assessment rather than simply treating the area where you feel the headache.
What Types of Headaches May Have a Musculoskeletal Component?
There are many different types of headaches and not every headache is appropriate for Myotherapy treatment.
Two presentations where musculoskeletal factors may be relevant include:
Tension-Type Headaches
Tension-type headaches can involve pressure or tightness around the head and may occur alongside muscular discomfort through the neck and shoulders.
Where neck and muscular factors are present, assessment and treatment of these areas may form part of your overall headache management.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headache refers to headache symptoms associated with structures in the neck.
People may experience headache alongside restricted or uncomfortable neck movement.
A thorough assessment can help determine whether your neck may be contributing to your symptoms.
How Can Myotherapy Help?
Your appointment begins with understanding your headaches rather than immediately starting hands-on treatment.
We'll discuss things such as:
Where you experience your headache
How frequently it occurs
How long it lasts
When your symptoms started
Neck or shoulder symptoms
Movements or activities that aggravate your symptoms
Work and desk habits
Exercise and training
Previous injuries
Other relevant medical history
We may then assess your neck, upper back, shoulders and movement to determine whether musculoskeletal factors could be contributing.
Headache Treatment Options
Depending on your assessment, your treatment plan may include:
Massage & Soft Tissue Treatment
Hands-on treatment may be used to address muscular discomfort and tension around the neck, shoulders and upper back.
Dry Needling
Dry needling may be incorporated into your treatment where appropriate.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY NEEDLING IN GEELONG
Joint Mobilisation
Gentle mobilisation techniques may be used to work on movement through the neck and upper back where appropriate.
Exercise & Movement
You may be given simple mobility, strengthening or movement exercises to work on between appointments.
The aim is to give you strategies you can use outside the treatment room rather than relying entirely on hands-on treatment.
Headaches, Desk Work & Posture
If your headaches tend to occur after long days at a computer, it can be tempting to blame your posture.
But there isn't one perfect posture you need to maintain all day.
Instead, we may look at factors such as:
How long you're spending in one position
How frequently you move throughout your working day
Your neck and upper-back movement
Your work setup
Your overall activity levels
Your neck and shoulder capacity
Often, regularly changing position and building your body's tolerance to the demands of your day can be more useful than trying to sit perfectly for hours at a time.
When Should a Headache Be Medically Assessed?
Not every headache should be treated as a musculoskeletal problem.
We may recommend medical assessment if your symptoms or history suggest your headache requires further investigation.
Seek urgent medical attention for symptoms such as a sudden severe or unusual headache, particularly if it occurs with neurological symptoms, significant illness, recent head trauma or other concerning symptoms.
If we're not comfortable that Myotherapy is appropriate for your presentation, we'll recommend that you seek further medical assessment.
What Happens at Your Appointment?
Your first appointment starts with a discussion about your symptoms, headache history, lifestyle and relevant medical history.
We'll then assess areas that may be relevant, including your neck, upper back and shoulders.
We'll explain what we find and discuss an appropriate management plan with you.
Treatment may then incorporate hands-on techniques, dry needling, mobilisation and exercise depending on your individual presentation.
Most importantly, you'll leave with a clearer idea of what the next steps should be.
Frequently Asked Questions About Headaches
Can Neck Pain Cause Headaches?
For some people, headache symptoms can be associated with structures in the neck. If your headaches occur alongside neck pain, stiffness or restricted movement, assessing your neck may be worthwhile.
Can Myotherapy Help With Migraines?
Migraine is a neurological condition and Myotherapy isn't a cure for migraine.
Some people with migraine may also experience musculoskeletal symptoms such as neck discomfort, but migraine management may require assessment and treatment from your GP or other healthcare professionals.
Should I Have Massage When I Have a Headache?
It depends on the type of headache and your individual presentation.
If muscular or neck-related factors appear relevant, massage may form part of your treatment. We'll assess your symptoms first to determine whether hands-on treatment is appropriate.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
There isn't a set number.
It depends on your symptoms, how long you've experienced them, what may be contributing and how you respond to treatment.
We'll discuss this with you based on your individual assessment.
Can Deep Tissue Massage Help Headaches?
Some people experiencing headaches also have muscular discomfort or tension around the neck, shoulders and upper back.
In these cases, massage or other hands-on techniques may be incorporated into your treatment.
However, headaches have many possible causes, so we don't assume that tight muscles are always responsible.
Assessment comes first.
Want to learn more? Read our blog: Will a Deep Tissue Massage Help My Headache?
Book Headache Treatment in Geelong
If you're experiencing recurring headaches alongside neck stiffness, muscular discomfort or restricted movement, we can assess whether musculoskeletal factors may be contributing.
At The Manx Myotherapy, the aim is to understand your presentation first and then develop an appropriate treatment and management plan.
The Manx Myotherapy
27 Melbourne Road
Drumcondra, Geelong VIC 3215
Located inside Empowered Health Chiropractic