Headaches and Migraines
Headaches and migraines are common neurological conditions that can cause significant discomfort and impact daily life, though they differ in their causes, symptoms, and severity. We understand how headaches and migraines can negatively impact your quality of life, thankfully, our expert physical therapists in Bronxville, NY and Mamaroneck, NY can offer you some relief!
A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. It can range from mild to severe and may last for a short time or persist for hours or even days. Headaches are typically categorized into two types:
primary headaches (headaches with no underlying cause) such as:
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Tension headaches, (the most common types of primary headaches) are often described as constant, dull ache or pressure around the forehead, temples, or back of the head. It may feel like a tight band around the head.
Cluster headaches: Intense, severe headaches that occur in clusters, meaning they happen in cycles. They often strike at the same time each day or night over several weeks or months, followed by periods of remission.
Chronic daily headaches: Occur 15 or more days per month and can last for several hours or all day.
Secondary headaches, (headaches that are the result of another condition causing traction on or inflammation of pain-sensitive structures) such as:
Sinus Headaches
Medication Overuse Headaches
Headaches from Illness
Post-traumatic Headaches
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A migraine is a type of headache that is typically more severe and often accompanied by additional neurological symptoms. Migraines are considered a primary headache disorder and are more than just head pain; they involve a complex set of symptoms that can significantly impact a person's quality of life.
While not all migraines are the same, they generally cause nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light (photophobia), sound (phonophobia), and sometimes smell or touch. Pain may be moderate to severe and worsens with physical activity or movement, and lasts anywhere from 4 - 72 hours. Though it is not as common, some people do experience an aura (visual disturbances like flashing lights, zigzag lines, or blind spots, or even sensory changes, such as tingling or numbness in the face or hands, or difficulty speaking) with their migraines.
The most common type of migraine is a migraine without aura. This type of migraine comes on without any warning signs, meaning the headache begins without any preceding neurological symptoms and can last a few hours to several days. Other types of migraines include:
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Migraine with Aura: Characterized by visual or sensory disturbances that occur before the migraine begins
Chronic Migraines: Occur more than 15 days per month, with at least eight of those days being migraine days.
Hemiplegic Migraines: A rare type of migraine that causes temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, similar to stroke-like symptoms. It may also involve aura, visual disturbances, and speech difficulties.
Silent Migraine (Migraine without Headache): Involves migraine symptoms such as aura, nausea, and sensitivity to light or sound but without the head pain typically associated with migraines.
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Causes of Headaches and Migraines:
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Headaches are often caused by tension and stress in the head, neck and body often due to poor posture, but can also be caused by dehydration, lack of sleep and eye strain.
Migraines can also be caused by poor posture and muscular tension, underlying conditions like TMJ dysfunction, or can be triggered by various factors, including:
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Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in estrogen levels in women.
Environmental factors: Weather changes, bright lights, loud noises, and strong smells.
Food and drink: Certain foods like aged cheeses, processed meats, alcohol, etc can provoke a migraine attack.
Stress: Emotional stress or anxiety.
Sleep disturbances: Lack of sleep or changes in sleep patterns.
Headaches and migraines can be debilitating and extremely inhibit your quality of life. If you have tried everything and just can’t seem to find relief, look no further! Our physical therapy offices in Bronxville, NY and Mamaroneck, NY are here to help!
Physical therapy can be highly beneficial for people suffering from headaches or migraines. By addressing the underlying physical causes, our expert physical therapists can reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of headaches and migraine. By focusing on:
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Tension reduction
Posture correction
Neck mobility and joint function
Stress management and relaxation
Trigger point therapy
Strengthening weak muscles
Improving blood flow and circulation
Vestibular and balance therapy
Exercise programs for self-management
At Prime Physio Physical Therapy in Bronxville, NY and Mamaroneck, NY we provide a multi-faceted approach to managing headaches and migraines. Through personalized treatment plans and patient education, we truly believe that we can greatly reduce your pain, frequency, and the severity of your migraine and headache attacks. If you or someone you love’s life has been impacted by headaches and migraines, book an appointment with us today so we can get you back to living a full life!