Physical Therapy For Cervicogenic Migraines

Physical Therapy For Cervicogenic Migraines | Capitol Physical Therapy | Washington DC Physical Therapists

Do you experience intense, debilitating headaches that occur alongside symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and light sensitivity?

If so, you may be one of the approximately 39 million Americans who experience migraines.

A migraine is more than just a really bad headache.

Instead, it’s a neurological condition that can cause a range of debilitating symptoms that can last anywhere from several hours to days.

If you or a loved one is dealing with cervicogenic migraines, we can help.

As a Washington DC physical therapy clinic, we offer a range of solutions for cervicogenic migraines.

Keep reading to learn more about cervicogenic migraines and how physical therapy for neurological conditions near me can help.

What Is A Cervicogenic Migraine?

Unlike a typical migraine, which originates from the brain, a cervicogenic migraine originates in the cervical spine and neck.

Cervicogenic migraines typically cause a dull, non throbbing pain.

If you are experiencing a cervicogenic migraine, you may also experience the following symptoms:

  • Reduced range of motion in your neck
  • Pain on both sides of the back of your head that moves to your shoulders
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Dizziness or vertigo
  • Issues with balance
  • Pain on one side of your face

Some may experience symptoms a few days before the migraine pain begins, also known as the “prodrome phase”.

Symptoms during the prodrome phase include:

Similarly, some individuals will experience symptoms after the migraine pain ceases, a period referred to as the “postdrome phase”.

The typical symptom during this phase is changes in mood, such as euphoria or apathy.

What Causes Cervicogenic Migraines?

Currently, a single, definite cause for migraines has not been identified.

Research points to abnormal brain activity that affects nerve signaling as well as chemicals and blood vessels as a potential cause.

Migraines often have a genetic component.

If one or both of your parents suffered from migraines, you have an increased likelihood of experiencing them as well.

Additionally, women are more likely to experience migraines than men.

Cervicogenic migraines can be triggered by sudden motions or continuous poor neck posture.

Other migraine triggers may include:

  • Bright lights
  • Severe heat and dehydration
  • Hormone changes and imbalances
  • Excess stress
  • Loud sounds
  • Excess physical activity
  • Skipping meals
  • Changes in sleep pattern
  • Certain medications, such as oral birth control
  • Smoking or alcohol consumption

How Can Physical Therapy Help For Cervicogenic Migraine Help | Capitol Physical Therapy | Washington DC Physical Therapists

How Can Physical Therapy Help For Cervicogenic Migraine Help?

Physical therapy can help you decrease pain, improve mobility, and manage future attacks.

Your physical therapist will assess your symptoms to help determine which therapy approaches might be right for you.

Some common physical therapy treatment approaches for cervicogenic migraines include the following:

1. Postural Adjustment

Some individuals with cervicogenic migraines have a pinched nerve on their cervical spine.

In these situations, a physical therapist can help correct your posture to help relieve migraine pain and other symptoms.

Some postural adjustment techniques include:

  • The use of a lumbar roll when sitting
  • Performing specific exercises to help posture
  • Adjusting the positioning of your pillow when sleeping
  • Using a special tape to improve overall postural awareness (kinesiology taping)
  • Ergonomics consulting

2. Exercise

Exercise is important to help improve your neck motion and decrease cervical nerve pressure.

Some of the exercises your physical therapist may have you do include:

  • Cervical retraction
  • Cervical flexion
  • Cervical side bending
  • Cervical rotation

3. Vestibular Therapy

If you are experiencing vertigo or dizziness due to cervicogenic migraine, vestibular physical therapy may help.

Vestibular therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that requires you to perform specific neck, head, and gaze stabilization exercises to improve symptoms.

4. TENS

Transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation, or TENS, is a type of electrical stimulation applied to your neck muscles.

TENS can help to decrease your pain and improve headache symptoms.

Your physical therapist may perform TENS treatments once or multiple times.

Book Your Appointment With Capitol Physical Therapy Today

Have you been struggling with managing symptoms related to cervicogenic migraines?

Are you interested in learning more about how physical therapy services can help you?

At Capitol Physical Therapy, our expert physical therapists are trained to help relieve cervicogenic migraine symptoms in order to return to your everyday activities.

Book an appointment with Capitol Physical Therapy today to find out more.

Capitol Physical Therapy
1331 H St NW #200,
Washington, DC 20005

- https://g.page/capitolptdc

9560 Pennsylvania Ave. # 202,
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

- https://goo.gl/maps/zjL4NnnuThRhrcS86

Capitol Physical Therapy offers orthopedic and other pain related solutions, with our versitile team of physical therapists in Washington, DC