Headaches are a very common ailment, affecting an estimated 80% of the population at some point in their lives. There are various causes of headaches, including stress, sinus infections, and certain medications. One type of headache that is especially common is cervicogenic headaches, which arise from dysfunction in the neck or cervical spine area.
If you are experiencing headaches, it is important to seek out the help of a medical professional, such as a physical therapist, who can work with you to identify the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan. With the right care and treatment, it is possible to manage and even eliminate headaches for good.
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Headaches are a common symptom of neck pain and muscle tightness, and can often be treated with physical therapy. Some of the most effective techniques used in physical therapy for headaches include stretching, massage, strengthening exercises, and training on posture. These treatments can help to relieve tension in the muscles, improve blood flow to the affected area, and reduce inflammation. Contact a HIDEF Physical Therapy Clinic today in Seattle, Bellevue , or Renton.
What causes headaches?
Headaches can be caused by a number of different factors including stress, allergies, poor diet, and even environmental factors like pollution or extreme heat or cold. Some common triggers for headaches include caffeine withdrawal, alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, certain medications, and poor posture. Some of the most common that we can help with are:
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Stress
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Dehydration
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Poor Posture
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Poor lifting mechanics
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Common Headache Types We Treat
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches are a very common type of headache. They are usually felt in the forehead, behind the eyes, and through the side of the head. They are caused by tightness of the muscles at the base of the back of the neck where the head meets the neck. We provide manual therapy and massage like techniques to help to reduce the muscle tension and to mobilize the cervical spine joints to relieve tension.
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Tension Headaches / Stress Headaches
Tension headaches are usually caused by stress. This can be physical stress from lifting, working, or maintain stressful postures or it can be from mental stress. Either way, physical therapy can help to reduce the your stress through exercise, stretching, and breathing techniques.
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Muscle Related Headaches
Sometimes headaches are simply due to tight muscles. Often times after an injury, fall, or motor vehicle accident the neck muscles become tight and guarded. Through stretching and restrengthening we are able to reduce the muscle tension and alleviate the headaches.
Why Choose HIDEF?
Our physical therapy clinics have the the therapists trained specially to deal with headaches. Our therapist perform thorough evaluations of the the neck, shoulders, and all other joints to help diagnose the cause of the headaches. We will design a program of stretches, exercises, and postural training to help you relieve the pain, improve ability to focus, and improve posture. We work with you in a 1 to 1 care model with a customized plan of care based on your specific needs. All of our clinics have equipment designed to be able to care for all of the common headache causes.
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13112 NE 20th St #400
Bellevue, WA 98005
P: (425) 629-9997
F: (425) 629-9979
332 Burnett Ave S
Renton, WA 98057
P: (206) 693-9929
F: (206) 922-8909
15423 SE 272nd St, Kent, WA 98042
P: (206) 693-9929
F: (206) 922-8909