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Overview
Migraine is a recurring type of headache that typically presents as throbbing, moderate-to-severe pain on one side of the head. The pain is often accompanied by nausea and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. Attacks can last from a few hours to several days and noticeably affect a person's daily life.
Although migraine is a neurologically based condition, muscular tension in the neck and problems originating from the upper cervical joints are, in many cases, an important factor that increases the frequency and severity of attacks. We give particular attention to this neck-related component.
Causes
- Neck-related tension — tension in the upper neck muscles and joints can trigger or intensify the pain.
- Postural problems — a long-term forward-bent neck and desk work.
- Stress and irregular sleep — one of the most common factors that trigger attacks.
- Hormonal changes and diet — certain foods and irregular meals can be triggers.
- Genetic predisposition — a family history of migraine.
Symptoms
- Throbbing, severe pain usually on one side of the head
- Nausea and occasional vomiting
- Heightened sensitivity to light and sound
- A feeling of tension and stiffness in the nape and neck
- Pain that worsens with physical activity
Treatment
In migraine, medication is planned by the relevant physician; however, in cases where the attacks have a neck-related component, physiotherapy approaches offer valuable support. Our aim is to reduce tension in the neck and thereby ease the trigger load.
- Manual therapy — mobilization and soft-tissue techniques directed at the upper cervical joints and tense muscles.
- Dry needling — applied to trigger points in the neck and nape to help release muscle tension.
- Assessment of the neck-related connection — distinguishing pain arising from the upper cervical joints (the cervicogenic component).
- Posture and exercise — a personalized exercise program that balances the neck muscles.
What We Do
First, our doctor assesses the neck-related component accompanying your migraine through a detailed examination and determines the appropriate treatment protocol. In suitable cases, dry needling is applied to tense trigger points.
Our physiotherapists reduce tension and relax the nape muscles with manual therapy and mobilization directed at the upper neck region. Once relief is achieved, we aim to build lasting balance with personalized exercises that support the neck. We also share posture recommendations to reduce the load on your neck in daily life.
We want to state clearly: physiotherapy is not a stand-alone cure for migraine and does not replace your medication. However, in many cases where the neck-related component is prominent, reducing the tension that accompanies the attacks provides our clients with measured relief.
Our aim is to improve your quality of daily life by reducing the severity and frequency of migraine attacks, and to manage the process with a holistic approach and realistic goals.