Myotherapy for Headaches and Migraines - Indooroopilly, Brisbane

Headaches and migraines are common conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. While occasional headaches can be a minor annoyance, chronic headaches and migraines can significantly impact your daily life, causing discomfort, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

While medication is often the first approach, manual therapy and exercise have been shown to provide effective, long-term relief.

Types of Headaches

There are several types of headaches, each with different causes and symptoms:

• Tension Headaches – The most common type, often linked to muscle tension, stress, poor posture, causing a dull, aching sensation around the forehead, temples, or back of the head.

• Migraine Headaches – Characterised by intense, throbbing pain, often accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, and visual disturbances, with triggers including stress, hormonal changes, and neurological factors.

• Cervicogenic Headaches – Originating from dysfunction in the cervical spine, commonly due to poor posture, whiplash, or neck trauma, and are often accompanied by neck pain and limited movement.

• Cluster Headaches – Severe, recurring headaches that occur in patterns or clusters, often affecting one side of the head and the eye region.

  
  

Common Causes of Headaches and Migraines

Understanding the cause of headaches and migraines can help in finding effective solutions. Some of the common triggers include:

• Muscle tension and poor posture – Tightness in the neck, shoulders, and jaw can contribute to tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches.

• Stress and anxiety – Increased stress levels can lead to muscle tightness and headaches.

• Jaw dysfunction (TMJ dysfunction) – Issues with the jaw can refer pain to the head and contribute to headaches.

• Dehydration and dietary triggers – Lack of hydration, excessive caffeine, alcohol, or certain foods may trigger migraines.

• Sleep disturbances – Poor sleep quality or irregular sleep patterns can contribute to frequent headaches.

  
  

How Myotherapy Can Help with Headaches and Migraines

Myotherapy is a hands-on therapy that focuses on treating musculoskeletal dysfunctions, including muscle tension, joint restrictions, and nerve irritation, which are common contributors to headaches and migraines. Manual therapy and exercise have been shown to be effective in reducing headache frequency, intensity, and duration.

Myotherapy Techniques for Headache Relief

Myotherapists use a range of techniques to address the underlying causes of headaches and migraines, including:

• Trigger Point Therapy – Releases tight muscle and reduce the severity of headaches and migraines.

• Myofascial Release – Reduces tightness and restrictions in the connective tissues that may be contributing to head and neck pain.

• Joint Mobilisation – Improves mobility and function in the neck and upper back, activating the body’s pain inhibitory systems.

• Exercise Prescription – strengthening weak muscles to reduce the frequency of headaches.

• Patient Education on posture correction, lifestyle modifications, and ergonomic advice.

  
  

Benefits of Myotherapy for Headache and Migraine Sufferers

People suffering from chronic headaches and migraines may experience significant benefits from myotherapy, including:

• Reduced headache frequency and intensity

• Improved neck and shoulder mobility

• Less reliance on pain medications

• Better posture and movement patterns

• Increased relaxation and reduced stress-related tension

Take the Next Step

If you suffer from chronic headaches and are looking for a long-term solution, myotherapy may offer the relief you need. Myotherapy is also covered under private health insurance extras, making it an accessible treatment option for many.

Consider booking a complementary discovery call or in-clinic appointment to discuss how we can support your headache and migraine relief journey.

References

Monzani, L., Espí-López, G. V., Zurriaga, R., & Andersen, L. L. (2017). Manual therapy for tension-type headache related to quality of work life and work presenteeism: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 25, 86-91.

Núñez-Cabaleiro, P., & Leirós-Rodríguez, R. (2022). Effectiveness of manual therapy in the treatment of cervicogenic headache: A systematic review. Headache, 62(2), 271-283.