Headache and Migraine Treatment

Spinal Conditions

Physiotherapy for Headaches & Migraine Treatment in Daisy Hill, North Lakes & Eight Mile Plains

Did you know that there are over 300 medically categorized headaches, with medication being the primary management approach in up to 90% of cases? Recent research reveals a common pathway, specifically the lower brainstem, is shared by various headaches, including cervicogenic, migraine, tension-type headaches, and more.

At The Brisbane Spine Clinic, we offer physiotherapy for headache and migraine relief, focused on the upper neck joints. Our trained clinicians have a special interest in interventions that can alter the pain pathways, with the aim of reducing headache symptoms. This approach for migraines and other types of headaches, aims at addressing the root cause rather than merely alleviating symptoms.

In some cases, results can be achieved with only 4-5 interventions performed by our trained clinicians. This is a non-invasive and drug-free alternative for managing and reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines.

Spine Consultant, Mr Leo Hyun Explains A Common Cause Of Headaches and Migraines in More Detail

Types of Headaches and Symptoms

Headaches are defined as pain arising from the head or upper neck. The pain that we associate with the symptoms of a headache originate from the tissue and structures around the skull and upper neck, and not the brain itself as there are no nerves that give rise to the sensation of pain in the brain.

While not all headaches are the same, they all share one thing in common – they cause frustrating and unwanted pain. Below, The Brisbane Spine Clinic has put together a list of some of the most common headaches and the symptoms associated with them.

Tension Headaches (Episodic - Occur Less Than 15 Days Per Month)

Tension headaches are one of the most common types we see at the Brisbane Spine Clinic. Often described as a drawn out, mild to moderate pain feeling like a tight band around your head

Common symptoms include:

  • Gradual onset of pain
  • Mild to moderate pain at its peak
  • Constant pain or pressure affecting the front, top or sides of the head

Chronic Tension Headaches (15+ Days Per Month)

Tension headaches are considered to be chronic when they are occurring more than 15 days per month. While the symptoms are more or less the same, the pain is almost always present and can negatively impact one’s lifestyle with the following associated symptoms:

  • Difficulty Sleeping
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Muscle aching in the neck and upper shoulders
  • Mild intolerance to light and noise

Migraines

Migraines are also a very common disorder we treat at The Brisbane Spine Clinic. A severe and debilitating throbbing headache that is often accompanied by nausea and a strong sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines that are left untreated can have a significant impact on the quality of one’s life.

Common symptoms of a migraine include:

  • Moderate to severe pain
  • Pain is isolated to one side of the head
  • Pain is aggravated by movement
  • Strong sensitivity to light and sound
  • Disturbed vision
  • Nausea or vomiting

Cervicogenic Headaches

Cervicogenic headache is actually a referred pain stemming from the neck. It is considered a secondary headache as it is caused by another physical issue. This type of headache is caused by a disorder of the cervical spine such as disc degeneration, prolapse or facet joint arthritis to name a few.

Those suffering from cervigogenic headaches often have a reduced range of motion in the neck, with pain worsening when pressure is applied to certain positions on the neck.

Other common symptoms associated with a cervicogenic headache include:

  • Nausea
  • Blurred vision
  • Dizziness
  • Stiff neck
  • Poor concentration

Physio for Migraines

Migraines are a debilitating disorder of an oversensitive nervous system. When triggered, nerve cells in the brain set off electrical activity that spreads across the brain, creating aura symptoms affecting vision, sensation, balance, coordination and speech. When the 5th cranial nerve is stimulated, it leads to painful inflammation that accounts for symptoms such as a throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light and sound. 

 

Physio for migraines aims to reduce the frequency and severity of each episode. It may involve:

  • Massaging the soft tissues in your neck (cervical spine) to relieve tension
  • Gently manipulating your neck joints to ensure they are correctly positioned
  • Providing education about migraines and lifestyle advice that may ease your symptoms.

The Brisbane Spine Clinic Approach to Treating Headaches & Migraines

Managing a headache is often a balance between a healthy lifestyle and effective non-drug treatments. If you are finding headaches are causing significant disruption to your life, or you need to take medication for your symptoms more than once a week, book an appointment with our trained clinician Mr. Leo Hyun to discuss how manual therapy techniques may be able to provide relief from your symptoms and address the true cause of your headaches.

The use of revolutionary techniques, following the most recent headache research and performed only by a few trained practitioners, can really help to live your life free of headache and migraine.

If you have experienced a headache or a migraine and:

  • It has lasted for longer than 3 months
  • It has taken several investigations ie. CT, MRI scans with no particular findings for the cause of headache
  • Pain medication helps temporarily

We aim to find the cause of your headache and offer the most appropriate treatment plan, which may help ease your pain.

Headache and Migraine Assessment

Why Choose Our Clinic

From the moment you book in for your consultation till the completion of your spinal treatments, you will realise The Brisbane Spine Clinic difference.

  • Peace of mind
  • Trust
  • Clear communication
  • Dedication and commitment
  • Highest level of care
  • Problem-solving approach
  • Second opinions
  • Non-invasive treatment

Our Physiotherapists

Yu-Tsung (Justin) Lin

Co-Founder and Senior Musculoskeletal Consultant

Sang Bin (Leo) Hyun

Senior Spinal Consultant

Chun Man (Kelvin) Choi

Physiotherapist and Accredited Exercise Physiologist

Raymond Sidhu

Physiotherapist