Cervical Headaches
Headaches are often caused by disorders of the neck or physical and emotional tension. Studies show that cervical headaches account for between 15% and 20% of all chronic and recurrent headaches.
Cervical headaches may stem from abnormal mobility of the upper cervical joint, the upper back joint (or thoracic 4th vertebra), or the temporomandibular (or jaw) joint. Cervical headaches are the most common persistent symptom following neck trauma; poor sitting posture and stress are also often associated with headaches of cervical origin.
SSPT’s approach to treating headache
The successful management of headaches relies on an accurate diagnosis of their origin. At SSPT, our therapists evaluate your symptoms and look for patterns that indicate the cause of your headache.
Depending on the cause of your headache, your SSPT therapy may include:
- Manual therapy to increase joint range of motion and cervical and thoracic mobility, decrease muscle tightness, and release musculoskeletal trigger points to restore pain-free cervical mobility
- Modalities such as ultrasound, electrotherapy, and heat treatment
- Instruction in relaxation techniques
- Education about posture and movement to restore neutral joint and muscle position at rest and to facilitate pain-free and stress-free movement patterns
- Self-management activities designed to help you maintain normal, pain-free mobility and function
