Headaches

Headaches and Migraines: How Physio Can Help

Headaches and migraines are extremely common and they continue to be something we are seeing often in the clinic.

Let’s talk headaches

Headaches and migraines don’t discriminate. They can affect anyone at any time and they definitely are not pleasant. Did you know that there are more than 300 different causes for headaches? There are also many different types of headaches and in some cases a person can suffer two at the same time.


The difference between a headache & a migraine

Another important thing to distinguish is the difference between a headache and a migraine. A migraine is a type of headache. They’re extremely severe and can make you feel nauseous, cause disturbances to your vision and make you sensitive to noise, light and, in some cases, odours.

This debilitating form of headache can start with numbness or tingling in your hands or arms and can be accompanied by skin that is painful to the lightest touch. Migraines leave most sufferers bed ridden for a substantial period of time.


Don’t ignore these signs & symptoms

We must note that there are significant signs and symptoms associated with headaches that must not be ignored and we strongly recommend seeking medical attention if you experience any of the following:

  • accompanied by memory loss or motor weakness
  • associated with symptoms like fever
  • that is markedly different to your previous headaches
  • that has a sudden and severe, ‘thunderclap’, onset, and
  • that is recurrent and persists in those over 50.


Accredited by the Watson Headache Institute

The good news is that physiotherapy can assist with identifying the cause and then managing the pain for headache and migraine sufferers. Progressive Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy are an accredited by the Watson Headache Institute.

In our experience, many headaches and migraines are caused by structural issues, including a neck disorder or physical and emotional tension.

Is your headache:

  • accompanied by neck pain?
  • eased by pressure to the base of the skull?
  • does the pain radiate from the back to the front of your head?
  • paired with dizziness or light-headedness?
  • always on the same side of your head?
  • persistent, despite ruling out all other causes – such as allergy or eye-strain?

An assessment from the team at Progressive Sports and Spinal Physiotherapy can determine if your headache or migraine is caused by your upper neck and the associated muscles.

  • Gentle hands-on physiotherapy can help ease your symptoms.
  • Poor posture can lead to neck disorders that cause headaches.
  • Education is a key step to avoid headache and migraine triggers.
  • At home exercises can help keep headaches and migraines at bay.

 

Don’t put up with headaches & migraines any longer!

Headaches and migraines can be extremely debilitating. If you or a family member is experiencing severe or regular headaches, don’t wait – get help from an experienced physiotherapist.

You can be confident our qualified and highly skilled physiotherapists will do all they can to get to the source of your pain and bring relief. Call Progressive Sports and Spinal Physiotherapy today on 47217798 or email: info@progressiverehab.com.au

 

Elin, is an alumni of St. Edward’s University and holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, furthered her academic journey by attaining a Doctor of Physiotherapy from Macquarie University in 2022.

Her passion for sports, particularly football (soccer), is evident in both her academic pursuits and personal endeavors. Specialising in the comprehensive well-being of athletes, Elin focuses on restoring them to peak performance while actively preventing future injuries.

Elin’s professional expertise is centered on musculoskeletal rehabilitation, with a specific emphasis on addressing and preventing knee injuries. Her approach integrates expert treatment with a commitment to educating and empowering patients, fostering their active involvement in enhancing their health and overall quality of life.

As an active participant in NPL football with SD Raiders, Elin brings firsthand experience and a profound understanding of the sport’s demands. Beyond the field, she extends her influence by contributing sports coverage over the weekends.

Christopher (Chris) Han graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, and then completed the Doctor of Physiotherapy program at Macquarie University in 2018. Chris is currently undertaking his PhD at the University of Sydney and Institute for Musculoskeletal Health in the field of low back pain and is due to complete this in early 2024. 

Chris is currently an assistant Physiotherapist for the NRL Referees. Chris has previous experience as the head Physiotherapist at Panthers Premier League Netball and a number of elite sporting athletes in the private setting.

Through Chris’ experiences, he has a particular interest in all areas of the body and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, sports, vestibular rehabilitation, and Men’s Health (pre and post prostate surgery).

Suzanne graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor of Health Science (Sports and Exercise Science) in 2015. She then went on to continue her studies at Macquarie University graduating from the Doctor of Physiotherapy post-graduate degree in June 2019.

Since graduating, Suzanne has worked in the local Penrith area in both private practice and Sports Physiotherapy. Suzanne has worked with sporting teams including Penrith District Netball Association, Mt Druitt Rangers (NPL), Penrith Valley Figure Skating Club, and local dance and cheer schools. 

Suzanne has a particular interest in working with artistic athletes including cheerleaders and dancers. She has a professional background in both cheer and dance and has previously worked as both a cheer coach and dance teacher. Suzanne’s previous experiences are an invaluable resource to her as a physiotherapist, as she has a thorough understanding of the level of physical fitness and skill acquisition that these athletes must have in order to be successful on stage and in competition.

Suzanne’s other areas of clinical interest reside in lower limb musculoskeletal injuries, spinal pathologies and women’s health.

Nathanial graduated as a physiotherapist in 2012 which saw him work in private practice and hospital settings gaining experience in all areas of physiotherapy including hand therapy, splinting/casting, pre/post-operative care, Men’s Health and general musculoskeletal, occupational and sports physiotherapy. Since then he has gone on to complete further studies in physiotherapy enabling him to be the only dual titled Musculoskeletal, Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist in Penrith.

Nathanial has a strong background in sports physiotherapy achieving accreditation with NSWIS as a service provider and working with many elite sports teams.

Nathanial has a particular interest in working with elite athletes, complex cases and in particular assessment and management of knee, hip and shoulder pain.

Andrea graduated from the Australian Catholic University completing her Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science in 2018 and Master’s of Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2020. After graduating she attained accreditation with ESSA as an Exercise Physiologist.

During her studies she gained clinical experience in both hospital and private practice settings, in cardiac rehabilitation, neurological conditions, cancer and chronic musculoskeletal injuries.

Since working at Progressive, Andrea has a specialist interest in treating musculoskeletal injuries, helping people in the mid-late stage of rehab to get them to return to sport or work. As well as helping people manage chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes.