Suite 3, Ground Floor, The Gateway,
312 St Kilda Road, Southbank, VIC, 3006
Headaches
In today’s population, 47% of people experience headaches. There are many classifications and forms of headaches and this is why it is important to have your headache assessed by not only by your GP but also your sports or musculoskeletal physiotherapist. Physiotherapists are experts at assessing and managing headaches of cervicogenic origin (referred pain from the neck) or from the structures of the jaw (temporomandibular joint, TMJ).
- Cervicogenic headaches
- Migraines
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches are caused by overload or dysfunction in the neck structures. These can result from tension or poor posture. Pain is usually felt on the top, back, or sides of the skull, often along the hairline. Unlike migraines, these Head pain rarely involve nausea or dizziness.
Facial or jaw pain that stem from jaw dysfunction are commonly felt around the eyes, face, or jaw, often with a dull ache.
Treatment begins with assessing your history and identifying any musculoskeletal causes. Management may involve soft tissue techniques targeting the neck, axioscapular muscles, or TMJ. The goal is to restore movement in the cervical spine and jaw, and to prescribe exercises that prevent recurrence.
Migraines
Migraines have several causes, including dietary triggers, hormonal fluctuations, certain medications, and sensitivity in the trigeminal nucleus (located near the jaw). In some individuals, migraines and cervicogenic neck-related pain may overlap.
Physiotherapy may not directly treat the root cause of migraines. However, it can help relieve muscular tightness and postural strain that often accompany them. It can also address any underlying cervicogenic or TMJ-related issues.
If you’re unsure whether physiotherapy can help with your headache, please contact one of the Performance Medicine physiotherapists today.
Related Treatments
Related Practitioners
Sam Yeung (she/her)
Physiotherapist - Doctor of Physiotherapy - Macquarie University. Bachelor of Exercise Physiology - University of New South Wales
Elliot Meers (he/him)
Senior Physiotherapist - APAM
Corbin Dickfos (he/him)
Principal Physiotherapist - APAM
Rhea Torres (she/her)
Physiotherapist - DPT. BNSc. BSc.
Annie Strauch (she/her)
Managing Director - Titled Physiotherapist - MACP
Elissa Petesic (she/her)
Senior Physiotherapist - APAM
Emily McLean (she/her)
Titled Physiotherapist - B.Physio Adv. (Hons), Masters of Sport Physio
Maria Anagnostou (she/her)
Director - Gadigal - Titled Physiotherapist, MACP
Chris Minto (she/her)
Senior Physiotherapist
Dr Brea Kunstler
Physiotherapist & Run Coach
Polly Dhar (she/her)
Senior Physiotherapist - Arts Compliance & Insurance Lead - APAM
Nicole Reynolds (she/her)
Senior Physiotherapist - APAM
Stacey Kipouridis (she/her)
Physiotherapist - APAM
Catherine Etty-Leal (she/her)
Clinical Director Narrm - Titled Physiotherapist, MACP
Related Blog Posts
Performance Medicine
