Physical therapy for migraines in Hastings, MI

Many people are aware that physical therapists use sketches, exercises and other noninvasive methods for treating pain that affects your muscles and joints. But did you also know that physical therapy can be used to treat migraines?

Migraines are a form of severe headaches, so you may be surprised to hear that physical therapists can help. Many people treat migraines with medication. While this may help, it’s not always effective and it can cause undesirable side effects. 

Treating migraines with physical therapy can reduce the frequency at which migraines strike and can decrease your dependency on medication for treatment. 

How can physical therapy treat migraines?

Migraines are triggered by an issue affecting the central nervous system, which includes your brain and spinal cord. There are a lot of nerves and blood vessels located in and around the central nervous system. Pressure on these nerves and blood vessels anywhere along the central nervous system has the potential to trigger migraines. 

Physical therapists specialize in treatments that reduce the kind of pressure that may trigger migraines. At Advent Physical Therapy in Hastings, Michigan, our treatments for migraines usually include: 

• Stretches and exercises — Weak and stiff muscles in the neck, back and abdomen force your spine to bear more of your upper body weight. This causes an increase of pressure on the spinal cord, which can trigger a migraine.
  Stretching and exercising the muscles in these areas improves their strength and flexibility, which can reduce the pressure off your spinal cord that may be triggering migraines.
• Manual therapy — Physical therapists can use their hands to manipulate the soft tissue and joints in and around your central nervous system. This may help reduce tension and decrease pressure in these areas that may be related to your migraines.
• Relaxation techniques — Not all triggers of migraines can be treated with physical therapy. Scents, bright lights and sounds are known to trigger migraines in some people. Physical therapists may not be able to prevent or treat migraine pain caused by these triggers, but they can help you manage the pain.
  Physical therapists can guide you through relaxation techniques and can teach you and your loved ones massages that help provide relief during a flare-up. 

Visit Advent Physical Therapy in Hastings, MI, for migraine treatment

Do you suffer from long-lasting and recurring head pain? Our physical therapists at Advent Physical Therapy in Hastings can help by treating potential trigger points along your central nervous system. Contact our team today for more information about migraine treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.