Does your head throb after a long day at the computer? You’re not alone. Headaches affect roughly half of all Australians at some point. Our Gymea and Cronulla physios have helped hundreds of patients find lasting relief from persistent headaches and head pain.

Here’s the thing, not all headaches are the same. Understanding what’s causing yours is the first step toward feeling better.

What Type of Headache Do You Have?

We commonly treat three main headache types at our clinic. Let’s break them down.

Cervicogenic Headaches: When Your Neck’s the Culprit

Cervicogenic headaches start in your neck. The pain typically begins just below your skull and creeps upward. You might feel it behind one eye or spreading across the back of your head.

Here’s how to spot one. Does your headache worsen when you’ve been stuck at your desk? Does turning your head a certain way trigger the pain? These are telltale signs your neck’s involved.

We see loads of these in Gymea and Cronulla. Long commutes, desk jobs, and even sleeping awkwardly can strain your upper neck joints and muscles.

Tension-Type Headaches: The Band Around Your Head

Imagine a tight band wrapped around your skull. That’s what tension headaches feel like. The pressure affects your entire head, and it can last hours or even days.

These headaches stem from muscle contractions in your head and neck. Stress doesn’t help either. You might notice tenderness in your forehead or the back of your neck.

They’re incredibly common, about two in three Australian adults experience them. The good news? Physiotherapy works brilliantly for these.

Migraines: The One-Sided Troublemaker

Migraines are different beasts entirely. They typically affect just one side of your head with throbbing, intense pain. You might feel nauseous or find light and noise unbearable.

Interestingly, 70-80% of migraine sufferers also experience neck pain. While we can’t cure migraines, physiotherapy can address neck dysfunction that may be contributing to your attacks.

What’s Actually Triggering Your Pain?

Understanding your triggers helps prevent future headaches. We’ve noticed common patterns among our patients.

Posture problems top the list. Hunching over your phone or computer places massive strain on your upper neck. Those small joints weren’t designed for that.

Lifestyle factors matter too:

• Poor sleep patterns
• Stress and emotional tension
• Dehydration
• Skipping meals
• Excessive screen time

Environmental triggers can include:

• Strong odours or perfumes
• Weather changes (hello, Sydney storms!)
• Bright lights
• Secondhand smoke
• Specific foods or alcohol

How Does Physiotherapy Actually Help Headaches?

You might wonder how moving your neck can fix head pain. Let me explain.

Manual Therapy: Hands-On Relief

We use specialized manual therapy techniques to improve neck movement and reduce pain. Think gentle mobilisations of your upper neck joints and targeted muscle releases.

Trigger point therapy works wonders for tense muscles at the base of your skull. These tight spots can refer pain straight into your head. Releasing them often provides immediate relief.

Research shows that combining manual therapy with exercise produces the best results. One study found significant improvements in both headache intensity and frequency after just six weeks.

Exercise Prescription: Building Your Defence

Weak neck muscles can’t properly support your head. That’s 5-6 kilograms sitting on top of your spine all day.

We’ll teach you specific strengthening exercises for your deep neck flexors. These muscles stabilise your upper neck and head position. Stronger muscles mean less strain and fewer headaches.

Stretching exercises reduce muscle tension and stiffness. We’ll show you which stretches target your problem areas.

Posture Correction: Prevention is Key

If your headaches relate to desk work or driving, we’ll assess your ergonomics. Small adjustments make huge differences.

We might suggest:

• Adjusting your monitor height
• Repositioning your keyboard
• Taking regular breaks to move
• Changing your pillow
• Modifying your driving position

What Happens During Your Visit?

Your first appointment involves thorough assessment. We need to understand your headache pattern, what triggers it, and what makes it better or worse.

We’ll examine your neck mobility and test specific movements. Can we reproduce your headache by moving your neck certain ways? That’s valuable information.

If we determine your headache responds to physiotherapy, we’ll create a personalised treatment plan. This typically includes:

• Hands-on manual therapy during appointments
• Specific exercises to do at home
• Posture and lifestyle advice
• Self-management strategies

Most patients notice improvements within 3-5 visits. Long-term relief comes from addressing the underlying causes.

When Should You See Someone About Your Headaches?

Book an appointment if your headaches:

• Occur frequently or are getting worse
• Interfere with daily activities
• Don’t respond to basic pain relief
• Wake you from sleep
• Come with neck pain or stiffness
• Worsen with certain postures or activities

You should see a doctor immediately if you experience:

• Sudden, severe headache (thunderclap)
• Headache after head injury
• Fever with headache
• Confusion or memory problems
• Vision changes

Your Path to Headache Relief Starts Here

Living with constant headaches affects everything, your work, your mood, your quality of life. You don’t have to put up with it.

Most chronic headaches start in the neck, not the head. Our Gymea and Cronulla physios have helped hundreds of patients by treating the root cause.

We’ll work with you to identify the root cause and develop an effective treatment plan. Whether it’s cervicogenic, tension-type, or migraine-related neck pain, there’s evidence-based treatment available.

Ready to tackle your headaches? Contact us today to book your assessment. Let’s get you feeling better, your head will thank you.

Serving Sutherland Shire with expert headache treatment at our convenient Gymea and Cronulla locations. Our experienced physios use proven manual therapy and targeted exercises for lasting relief.