Have you found yourself missing out on the activities you enjoy due to sudden and splitting headaches? Splitting head pain can make it difficult to concentrate, hold a conversation or go through other parts of your daily routine. While pain medications may help, they can have unwanted side effects, and some prescription medications carry the risk of addiction. So what can you do to treat your splitting headache?
Many of the causes of head pain can be treated through physical therapy. Physical therapists are trained to diagnose and treat many of the common causes of splitting headaches. A car accident or sports injury may be the cause of your splitting headaches. Pinched or damaged nerves resulting from traumatic events can also cause headaches long after the event has occurred.
Splitting headaches may also be a long-term symptom of COVID-19. Physical therapy can treat your head pain during your COVID-19 recovery and other symptoms that you may be experiencing after recovering from your illness.
How does physical therapy treat splitting headaches?
There are a number of methods a physical therapist can use to help ease the pain and treat the source of chronic, splitting headaches. Some of the most common include:
- Manual therapy — Hands-on techniques are designed to reduce joint and muscle stiffness, as well as increase the mobility of your head and neck. These techniques can be especially helpful with loosening muscles and joints that may have become stiff and immobile after an injury. Manual therapy can also free nerves that may have become pinched or compressed, which is a common cause of headaches.
- Posture training — The stiff muscles and pinched nerves that often cause headaches may be the result of poor posture. A licensed physical therapist can work with you to improve the way you sit and stand. They can also help you find ways to keep good posture while you’re working.
- Electrical stimulation — This form of therapy allows your therapist to deliver small electrical shocks to your nerves and muscles using a special device. Recent studies have shown that electrical stimulation therapy is an effective tool for treating migraine headaches and even preventing them. It can also help to reduce stiffness in the neck and other muscle groups.
Where can I turn to treat my splitting headaches?
If you are seeking relief from your painful headaches, look no further than Whatcom Physical Therapy. Let us help you get back to your normal routine with our team of trained physical therapy specialists and two convenient clinic locations in northwest Washington.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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