Headache Physiotherapy in Bundoora: Can a Physio Fix Your Headaches?

Many people are surprised to learn that physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for certain types of headache. If your headaches start in the neck or back of the skull, are associated with neck stiffness, or worsen with sustained postures — a physiotherapist may be able to fix them more effectively than pain medication.

Which Headaches Does Physiotherapy Treat?

Cervicogenic Headaches

Cervicogenic headaches originate from dysfunction in the upper cervical spine (C1–C3). The joints and muscles of the upper neck refer pain to the head — typically to the forehead, eye, and temple — through a well-established neural pathway (the trigeminocervical nucleus). They are frequently misdiagnosed as tension headaches or migraine.

Identifying features:

• Usually one-sided, starting at the base of the skull or neck
• Radiates to the forehead, eye, or temple on the same side
• Triggered or worsened by neck movements or sustained postures (looking at a screen, sleeping awkwardly)
• Associated with neck stiffness or restricted movement
• Not typically associated with nausea, vomiting, or light sensitivity

Physiotherapy is the first-line treatment for cervicogenic headaches. Upper cervical joint mobilisation and deep neck flexor strengthening have excellent evidence for reducing headache frequency and intensity.

Tension-Type Headaches with a Musculoskeletal Component

Many tension headaches involve tightness in the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and suboccipital muscles — all treatable with physiotherapy. Manual therapy and dry needling of these muscles, combined with postural correction, significantly reduces tension headache frequency in most patients.

Post-Traumatic Headaches

Headaches following concussion or whiplash frequently have a cervicogenic component alongside the neurological factors. Physiotherapy — particularly vestibular rehabilitation and cervical spine treatment — is an important part of post-concussion management.

What Physiotherapy Does for Headaches

• Upper cervical joint mobilisation (C1–C3) — the most specific and effective treatment for cervicogenic headaches, directly addressing the source of the referred pain
• Deep neck flexor training — the deep neck stabilisers are consistently weak in patients with cervicogenic and tension headaches; retraining these muscles is essential for long-term resolution
• Dry needling — targeting trigger points in the suboccipitals, upper trapezius, and sternocleidomastoid muscles that contribute to headache patterns
• Thoracic spine mobilisation — improving thoracic mobility reduces compensatory overload on the cervical spine
• Postural correction and ergonomic advice — addressing the daily habits and workstation setup that perpetuate the problem

When to See a Doctor First

See a doctor before physiotherapy if you experience: a sudden, severe "thunderclap" headache; a headache accompanied by fever, neck stiffness, and light sensitivity (possible meningitis); headache following a head injury; or a headache that is progressively worsening over weeks. These require medical investigation to rule out serious pathology before physiotherapy treatment begins.