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3 Ways a Physical Therapist Can Help Manage Headaches

May 29, 2024 | Tips & Trends
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Headaches affect 47% of the world’s population. They are described by the type and location of pain in the head. Many headaches are harmless and resolve on their own. However, frequent moderate to severe headaches can impact your ability to do daily activities and affect quality of life.

Different types of headaches include:

  • Tension.
  • Cervicogenic or neck muscle-related.
  • Migraine.
  • Secondary headaches from an underlying condition, such as a fever or infectious disease, or sinus disorder. In rare cases, a tumor or more serious illness.
  • Unspecified headaches.

A physical therapist will perform a full examination to diagnose the type of headache. Based on their findings, they will develop the most effective treatment plan.

Physical therapy has been proven to:

  • Decrease or resolve the intensity, frequency, and duration of headaches.
  • Decrease medication use.
  • Improve function and mobility.
  • Improve ease of motion in the neck.
  • Improve quality of life.
  • A physical therapist treatment plan for headaches may include:

1. Manual therapy

Proven hands-on techniques can:

  • Relieve joint and muscle stiffness.
  • Increase mobility of the head and neck.
  • Decrease muscle tension and spasms.
  • Improve muscle performance.
  • Some physical therapists also provide dry needling for certain types of headaches.

2. Exercise

Research has shown that various types of exercises can:

  • Decrease pain.
  • Improve endurance.
  • Decrease inflammation.
  • Promote overall healing.
  • In addition to prescribed exercises, customized home-exercise programs are an essential part of the treatment plan.

3. Education

Educating patients has been to be helpful in lessening the severity and/or frequency of headaches. A physical therapist can teach you how to identify your specific triggers (such as diet, sleep, movement/postural habits, stressors, hydration). They also can teach how to help alleviate symptoms through a wide variety of relaxation techniques.

Find a PT at a location near you.

Article courtesy of APTA.

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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