Back to services

Headache

Capital Clinic’s management plan combining manual therapy, client education and self-management techniques has allowed our clients to have lasting relief from their headache and migraine and an improved quality of life.

Suffering from headache is incredibly common, with over 90% of adults reporting having headache at some point in their lifetime. Headache or migraine can decrease quality of life, especially if recurrent, and can reduce a person’s ability to work effectively.

Through the combination of manual therapies, client education and self-management techniques, our clients experience lasting relief from their headaches and migraines as well as an improved quality of life.

What is a headache?

A headache can present as pain in your face, temple, eyes, or jaw, but often the source of the pain is not where the pain is felt. There are different types of headache, including tension and stress headache, cluster headache, or migraine causing nausea and vomiting.

What causes headache?

The cause of headache or migraine is multifactorial and can include stress, muscle tightness, trauma, jaw dysfunction, hormonal changes, degenerative changes, or pathology. Headaches are unique in that they may present with identical symptoms but have different causes and require different treatments.

Types of headache we treat:

  • Cervicogenic headache (headache arising from the neck)
  • Migraine (with or without aura)
  • Menstrual migraine
  • Tension type headache
  • Jaw related headache

All our Physiotherapists have the skills and training to assess and manage headache. Principal Physiotherapist, Rob Erickson, and experienced Physiotherapists, Ann-Maree McCusker, and Stuart Kiemann have all gained further qualifications through the Watson Headache Institute, with Ann-Maree achieving her Level III Specialist qualification in the management of headache and migraine.

Treatment

Step 1: Initial Assessment

Clients presenting with headache and/or migraine symptoms will initially have a musculoskeletal assessment of their upper neck and jaw for any dysfunction.

Step 2: Manual Therapy and Education

From this assessment, your Physiotherapist will determine which manual therapy technique is most appropriate to correct any mechanical dysfunction.  All our hands-on treatment techniques are safe.  You will also be given education about the causes and underlying pathophysiology of your headache or migraine so that you can understand the process and management plan.

Step 3: Self Management

It is important that you learn ways to manage or prevent your headaches. Your Physiotherapist will provide you with strategies such as strength and motor control exercises and stretches that will help you manage your headaches yourself.

 

Anchor tag

Book an appointment

Appointments are available in our two Canberra City locations. Call or book online.

Bookings can also be made with our physiotherapists in Deakin by calling ACT Pain Centre.

Call City Centre Book City Centre
Call City West Book City West