Headache complaints
Headache is a common complaint that can occur in various forms and intensities. Some people occasionally experience a dull pressure on the forehead or back of the head, while others regularly suffer from throbbing or sharp pain on one side of the head. Headaches can be short-lived or persist for a long time, affecting your concentration, energy, and mood. They often develop gradually and without an obvious cause.
What many people don’t realize is that headaches are often related to other physical tensions. Muscles in the neck, shoulders, jaw, or skull can become overstrained and radiate pain to the head. Limited mobility of the spine, shallow breathing, or increased tension in the nervous system can also contribute to headache complaints. Examples include tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches (originating from the neck), or headaches accompanied by dizziness, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light and sound.
Do you recognize yourself in this? Then it’s useful to look beyond just the place where you feel the pain. Headache is often a signal from your body that there is an imbalance somewhere. By investigating what exactly is going on — and which structures are involved — targeted treatment becomes possible. Many people experience relief when underlying tension, posture, or movement restrictions are addressed, even if these are not directly located in the head.
Treatment of Headache Complaints
The treatment of headaches always begins with a thorough intake and examination, looking into possible causes such as muscle tension, limited mobility of the cervical vertebrae, or other factors that may influence your symptoms. Depending on the cause, different techniques are used.
In physiotherapy, mobilizations or manipulations of the cervical vertebrae, muscle relaxation techniques, and posture advice can be applied to reduce muscle tension and improve mobility. Attention is also given to the mobility of the skull, neck, spine, and even the pelvis or organs, as these structures are connected and can affect the nervous system or fascial tension. Tension in any of these structures can therefore cause headache complaints.
Besides manual techniques, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques are also incorporated to calm the nervous system. The goal is to treat the underlying cause of the headache, not just relieve the symptoms, so that your complaints decrease in the long term.
Make an appointment in Amsterdam
Our practice is located in Amsterdam and is easily accessible. We take the time for you and look beyond just the place of pain. Experience for yourself what a physiotherapist can do for your headache complaints.