Physiotherapy can be a useful component in managing migraines for many people. Physiotherapy at Cumberland Physio Parramatta can be used alongside medical care, lifestyle adjustments, etc.,
Physio Treatment can reduce frequency, intensity, and duration of migraine attacks.
How Physiotherapy at Cumberland Physio Parramatta helps with migraines
- Addressing musculoskeletal contributors
Many migraine sufferers also have neck stiffness, poor posture, tightness in shoulder, upper back, jaw, etc. These musculoskeletal issues can trigger or worsen migraines. Our Physio Matthew West can assess and treat these. - Exercise therapy
Regular exercise, when tailored well, is shown to reduce migraine frequency, severity and improve quality of life. Aerobic exercise, neck/upper-back strengthening, and flexibility work are often part of a plan. - Manual therapy / hands-on treatments
Techniques such as joint mobilisation of the cervical spine, soft tissue massage, trigger‑point release, myofascial techniques etc., to reduce tension and improve mobility. - Posture correction & ergonomics
Improving posture (especially around the neck, head, shoulders), ergonomics (desk setup, screen height, etc.) to reduce continual strain that may contribute to migraine triggers. - Stress management, relaxation, breathing work
Because stress and tension often trigger migraines, physios may teach breathing techniques, relaxation strategies (progressive muscle relaxation etc.), sometimes gentle stretching to reduce baseline tension. - Identifying trigger points / associated regions
Sometimes migraines are aggravated by issues in temporomandibular joint (jaw), or dysfunction in eye movement systems, etc. Our Physio Matthew West may assess and treat those.
What the evidence says
- A recent guideline (2023) gives recommendations for therapeutic exercise in migraine: certain exercise modalities are effective in reducing symptoms like pain intensity, duration, frequency. BioMed Central
- Systematic reviews have found that exercise interventions are helpful, though the best type or modality isn’t always clear. jpain.org+1
- Some studies show manual therapy combined with exercise yields better results than either alone in certain populations. SpringerLink+1
What kind of physiotherapy interventions are often used by Matthew West at Cumberland Physio Parramatta:
Here are some practical physiotherapy techniques and exercises that are often part of migraine management:
- Neck stretches and mobilisations
- Chin tucks, gentle strengthening of deep neck flexors
- Scapular / shoulder blade strengthening (to reduce tension in shoulders/upper back)
- Postural correction drills (e.g. pulling head back, shoulder retraction)
- Upper thoracic spine mobilisations (if stiff)
- Trigger-point release / myofascial release
- Soft tissue massage of the neck/shoulders
- Relaxation / breathing exercises
Things to watch out for / limitations
- Not all migraines are the same. Some are more strongly neurologically driven; in those, physio may help less or with more difficulty.
- Some exercises or manual therapy might initially increase symptoms; it’s important to do things gradually, in consultation with a physio such as Matthew West from Cumberland Physio Parramatta who has extensive experience with treating headaches/migraines.
- Avoid triggering movements or over‑exertion. Intensity, duration, and type of exercise need to be personalised. What’s helpful for one person may trigger migraine in another.
- Physio doesn’t replace medication or other medical treatment when needed; it’s usually part of a multi-modal approach.
- Consistency matters: benefits usually accrue over weeks or months of regular physiotherapy / exercise. BioMed Central+1