Chronic headaches and migraines can cause a major disruption in the lives of patients who suffer from them. When over-the-counter medicines and home remedies no longer work, people will often turn to medical professionals for chronic headache treatment. At the Central office of Border Therapy Services in El Paso, Texas, we help our patients find relief through chronic headache physical therapy treatment.
How is a chronic headache defined?
Chronic headaches are defined as experiencing headache symptoms for at least 15 days out of the month for three consecutive months. The most common type of headaches that can become chronic include:
- Tension headaches
- Migraines
- Cluster headaches
- Sinus headaches
- Cervicogenic headaches
When diagnosing a chronic headache, it can be helpful to keep a symptom journal. Write down important information like where the pain is felt, how long symptoms last and what you were doing before onset of the headache. This can provide valuable information for your doctor or therapist when discussing treatment options.
How are chronic headaches treated?
The treatment for chronic headaches will vary depending on the type of headache you experience. With tension headaches, for example, the goal is to reduce tension in the areas that trigger symptoms. Massage therapy is a useful technique to reduce tension in the head, neck and shoulders. Myofascial release or trigger point therapy can also help relieve tension.
In contrast, a secondary headache like cervicogenic headaches require the therapist to treat the underlying cause to relieve symptoms. Strength building exercises and posture correction techniques can counter the strain of sitting hunched over or looking down at our smartphones. Manual therapy can help stretch muscles in the neck and improve range of motion.
Scheduling headache treatment with Border Therapy Services
Don’t let chronic headaches take away from your quality of life. The therapists of Border Therapy Services are skilled in treating the different types of chronic headaches. They will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the root cause of your pain and develop a treatment plan to meet your goals.
If you are in El Paso, Texas and suffer from chronic headaches, contact our Central office today to set up your initial appointment.