Treatment for Headaches in Charlotte, NC



Treat Your Headaches Naturally in Charlotte, NC

The goal of physical therapy for headaches is to reduce pain while simultaneously improving function. Treatment typically includes exercises to improve posture and neck strength.

Headache Pain and Physical Therapy

When it comes to dealing with headaches, and head and neck tension, physical therapy has been proven to offer numerous advantages:
  • You can reduce or eliminate headache frequency, intensity, and duration.
  • Reduce your need for pain medications.
  • Improve your mobility and function, including your neck’s range of motion which will enhance your quality of life.​
A Pin Point physical therapist in Charlotte will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan based on your needs.

Physical Therapy Treatment Options

Your treatment plan for headaches might include several different strategies that work together to make you more comfortable while we work on building physical resilience.
Manual Therapy and Dry Needling
Manual therapy is a tried-and-true hands-on technique that can help to relax stiff muscles and joints. This will help increase mobility of the neck and head while also reducing muscle spasms and tension. Dry needling treatments may also be prescribed for specific types of headaches.

Exercise

Studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of various kinds of exercises.
  • Reduce pain intensity
  • Enhance endurance
  • Lower inflammation levels
  • Promote overall healing process

Along with prescribed exercises, personalized home-exercise plans are an integral component of treatment planning.

Education

Education can also help reduce the intensity and/or frequency of headaches. We can help you to recognize triggers that cause your headache (like sleep, diet, postural habits, stressors, and hydration) and provide relaxation methods that may ease symptoms.

​Is Physical Therapy Right for You?

Reach out to us today if you are interested in exploring physical therapy for your headache pain. We can assess your individual needs and create a treatment plan for any of these situations:
  • Your headaches are frequent and interfere with your quality of life
  • You have tried over-the-counter and prescription medications, but they are not providing relief
  • Your headaches are severe and/or accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or light sensitivity
  • You have experienced a head injury or traumatic event

If you suffer from severe headaches, physical therapy can help.

Physical therapy for headaches typically includes exercises that improve posture and strengthen the neck muscles. These exercises can help to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches, while manual therapy and dry needling can help with more immediate pain relief.

Ready to explore natural methods that can get your head and neck pain under control? Try our 20-minute Discovery Visit.

What Causes Severe Headaches?

There are many types of headaches, and the pain can vary from mild to severe. Here are some of the most common causes of severe headaches.

Migraines: 
Are You Suffering From Migraine-Related Headaches? Migraine headaches are often characterized by throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. If your migraine headaches are chronic, physical therapy (PT) could provide relief, increase mobility, and prevent future episodes. Your migraine headache may originate in your cervical spine (neck), in which case it would be known as a cervical-related headache. Many continue to experience persistent migraine headaches months after beginning physical therapy, but they use the methods learned in PT to reduce their symptoms' intensity. A physical therapist will assess your spine and suggest treatments to increase mobility and ease pain.

Cluster headaches: 
Cluster headaches are a type of headache that comes in cycles or “clusters.” They are often described as a burning or piercing pain on one side of the head. Physical therapy treatments utilizing manual therapy and exercise can benefit patients with cluster headaches. One study published in May 2021 demonstrated that manual therapy and exercises targeting cluster headaches can effectively reduce disability and enhance daily comfort for those suffering from cluster headaches.

Tension headaches: 
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Tension headaches are caused by muscles in your shoulders and neck becoming tight, resulting in cervical discomfort on each side of your head. They can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 days, with women being three times as likely as men to experience tension headaches. The most prevalent type of tension headache lasts 15 days annually and affects about 1/3 of people; however, 2 to 3% may experience unresolved tension headaches for more than 15 days per month.

Ready to Give Physical Therapy a Try?

Are you ready to get back to participating in the sports and activities that you love, like golf, racketball, pickleball, or tennis? We can help you get back to your regular workout routines without head and neck pain holding you back. It is possible to overcome pain through movement rather than pharmaceutical solutions and we can teach you how. A PT here at Pin Point Physical Therapy in Charlotte can help you get safely back into shape while also minimizing the risk of injury.
​​
Contact us today if you're ready to work toward natural relief from headaches and issues in related areas, like your neck. Come in first for our affordable discovery - you can ask questions and explore which physical therapy treatments will work best for you.


Look Who Else Came To Pin Point Physical Therapy And Left Feeling Happy, Healthy, And More Active... 

MARY​
Thanks for a great experience with my first stint with physical therapy! Ginger truly cares about her patients and doesn’t give up until she figures out how to help them. Her professionalism and knowledge far exceeded my expectations! The therapy and exercises she created for me have been crucial in being pain free. I know where I will go if I should ever need help again. . . Pin Point!
Mary

Debbie, age 60 with Ginger after Cooper River Bridge Run

"I came to Ginger for PT after I was involved in a horrible car wreck. I had so many injuries I was walking with a walker with platforms for my broken hand. I was an avid runner, cyclist and swimmer. I was told that my knees were so badly injured that I would never run again. It was a very emotional time for me. Ginger worked with me and was very positive about my returning to running and all the sports that I loved. She was very knowledgeable, professional and fun. Not only did I get better and returned to running, biking and swimming, I had fun in the process and made a friend for life. In fact, Ginger has treated my husband and 2 sons as well. I have been treated by other physical therapists in the past, and I can tell you that Ginger exceeded my expectations by a long shot. She's the best! She gave me undivided attention each and every visit and she took the time to listen to my physical needs as well as my emotional needs after such a trauma. I highly recommend Ginger Morrissey for your orthopedic needs. She will get you back to enjoying life!"

Debbie​
Tired of your headaches? Reach out today!  
View all contact details