Almost everyone has suffered from a headache at some stage in their life. Fortunately, most of these headaches are resolved with common, tried & tested methods such as; popping Panadol, Hydration, resting and taking nana naps.

However, there are cases for some people where headaches can be ongoing or severe and are impacting on daily living as a result. The cause of headaches are varied; eyestrain, vascular disturbance (ie, migraines), hydration levels, chemical or structural abnormalities as well as the joints of the jaw and neck.

Physiotherapy is an effective treatment for some of these causes, particularly where there is a mechanical influence. By mechanical, we refer to particular structures within the body which are able to move, such as; spinal joints and muscles.

A headache originating from the neck is referred to as a cervicogenic headache and is probably the most common form of headache treated in our clinic. In order to determine if your headache is caused by a mechanical imbalance, consider when your headache starts or where the pain is coming from. It may be caused from bending or holding your neck in a particular position, for example; reading, or turning your head whilst driving. A cervicogenic headache may also begin in the back or base of the neck and progress forward. Sometimes the pain may begin near one ear and develop up one side of the head which can be an indicator of jaw dysfunction.

Physiotherapy treatment is likely to include manual mobilisation of the neck joints and the manual release of associated muscles. The therapist may also assess the benefits of and treat using; dry-needling, ultrasound therapy or electrotherapy.

If you are currently suffering from headaches and think it is possibly related to your neck or jaw, please contact the clinic for an assessment and relevant treatment program.

headache treatments

Caboolture Physical Therapy Centre – serving people in need from the following areas: Caboolture, Morayfield, Ningi, Elimbah, Bongaree, Beerwah, Beachmere, Goodwin Beach, Toorbul, Woodford, Donnybrook, Bellar, Glasshouse Mountains, Beerburrum, Bribie Island, Wamuran, Woorim, Sandstone Point, Banksia Beach, Burpengary & Kilcoy.