You might be dealing with the aftermath of a car crash or a fall at work, including the resulting headaches that just will not quit. If your headaches feel a bit different from anything you have experienced before, you may have trouble focusing or getting enough sleep. If you are considering physical therapy for headaches, it helps to know what to expect from this type of care so you can prepare accordingly.
Comprehensive Healthcare Group offers physical therapy services in Oceanside, NY and Valley Stream, NY. Below, their guide walks you through what post-traumatic headaches can involve and how physical therapists may work to help you find relief.
What Are Post-Traumatic Headaches?
A post-traumatic headache typically develops after an injury to your head or neck, usually within seven days of the trauma. According to Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, post-traumatic headaches affect an estimated 49.3% of people after a brain injury, ranking among the most common complications of a mild TBI. A StatPearls review also reports that the prevalence of TBI-related headaches ranges from 30% to 90%, with 18% to 22% of patients still reporting headaches one year later.
Post-traumatic headaches can stem from several different sources, depending on how you were hurt. A sudden jolt to the head or neck can stretch nerves and irritate the joints of your cervical spine. That mix of soft-tissue and nerve involvement helps explain why the symptoms can feel so stubborn.
You might seek physical therapy for headaches because the pain can take more than one form, and these treatment options are flexible enough to adapt to your needs. Common types of post-traumatic headaches include:
- Tension-type headaches: A dull, tight, or pressing feeling around your forehead or the back of your head
- Migraine-like headaches: Throbbing pain, often accompanied by sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, and visual changes
- Cervicogenic headaches: Start in an injured neck or spine and go into the head
Your specific symptoms will shape how the physical therapist treats you.
General Tips for Managing Headaches After a Head Injury
Managing headaches after a head injury requires a combined approach of physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and, sometimes, medication. The goal is to calm the symptoms so that your head can recover.
A study in the Journal of Headache and Pain found that 59.3% of the participants reported headache shortly after their traumatic brain injury. Tracking your symptoms in a simple diary can help your provider spot patterns like this and adjust your care. Steady sleep, stress management, good hydration, and gentle movement can also lower the frequency and intensity of your symptoms.
Turning to Physical Therapy for Headache Relief
Physical therapy for headache relief focuses its efforts on your muscles, joints, and posture. A therapist may look for the triggers behind your discomfort and then use targeted movement and manual techniques to restore function and reduce pain. For post-traumatic headaches, that often means working on your neck, shoulders, and upper back to address referred pain as well.
Physical therapists may draw on several methods to ease headache pain, including:
- Posture correction to reduce strain on the neck
- Manual therapy to loosen tight tissue and restore motion in the cervical spine
- Targeted strengthening for the neck and shoulders
- Trigger-point work to release the muscle knots that refer pain into the head
Many therapists also teach relaxation and breathing techniques to help manage stress, which has been known to be a frequent headache trigger.
Rehabilitation and Therapy Options for Chronic Headaches After Trauma
You can think of post-injury headache rehabilitation as a gradual, monitored process rather than a quick reset. People’s recovery timelines differ, and the provider may adjust the treatment plan as symptoms change or healing progresses. Regular follow-ups keep your progress on track and catch setbacks early.
Your primary therapy options for chronic headaches after trauma often combine several supportive strategies at once. Beyond hands-on physical therapy, you might expect guided exercises, as well as postural and ergonomic coaching. Stress-reduction techniques and pain-management planning for flare-ups may also come into play.
When To Seek Care for Post-Traumatic Headache Treatment
Some soreness after an accident is to be expected, but certain warning signs call for prompt attention. You should seek a medical evaluation right away if your headaches are severe or keep getting worse. Watch for red flags that suggest a headache is more than ordinary, such as vision changes, repeated vomiting, confusion, weakness, numbness, dizziness, or any headache that wakes you from sleep.
Find Relief With Comprehensive Healthcare Group’s Physical Therapy Services in New York
Choosing physical therapy for headaches gives you a noninvasive path to recovery by addressing the contributing muscle or joint issues behind the head and neck pain. Comprehensive Healthcare Group’s personalized recovery plans are part of the role of physical therapy in pain management, whether it was a car accident or a work-related injury.
Call Comprehensive Healthcare Group in Oceanside, NY, at (516) 764-7760 and in Valley Stream, NY, at (516) 593-7990. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may still have questions about post-traumatic headaches and how physical therapy fits in, so we have answered a few common ones below.
Can Physical Therapy Help With Headaches After a Concussion?
Yes, physical therapy may help with headaches after a concussion, especially when neck strain or poor posture contributes to the pain. Manual therapy, targeted exercises, and posture training can address these triggers.
When Should You See a Doctor for a Headache After an Accident?
You should see a doctor promptly after an accident if a headache is severe or worsens over time. Vision changes, vomiting, confusion, and a feeling of weakness also point to a serious injury.
Is It Okay To Seek Physical Therapy for Headaches Just Weeks After a Head Injury?
Yes. Headaches can appear suddenly or continue for weeks after a head injury and may linger for months. A medical evaluation may help guide the right treatment, including physical therapy, to address the underlying cause.