Headaches
Headaches
Headaches don't need to rule your life
Our physios can help find the best solutions to severe and chronic headaches
Headaches are one of the most common complaints in healthcare — and for many, they’re more than just occasional discomfort. At our clinic, we regularly assess and treat headaches that originate from the neck and surrounding musculature, known as cervicogenic headaches, as well as helping people manage tension-type headaches and those worsened by muscle tension.
These types of headaches often respond well to physiotherapy intervention.
These types of headaches often respond well to physiotherapy intervention.
Common causes of headaches
Physiotherapists can assist with headache types that are mechanical or musculoskeletal in origin, particularly when related to:
- Neck stiffness or joint dysfunction (cervicogenic headache)
- Upper cervical spine movement restrictions
- Muscle dysfunction in the neck, shoulders, or jaw
- Stress or tension-related muscle guarding
- Previous whiplash or neck injury
How we assess your headaches
Our assessment is designed to rule out more serious causes and identify whether your headache is related to neck or muscular dysfunction. We may assess:
We collaborate with GPs or other health professionals if your symptoms indicate a need for further investigation or specialist care.
- Neck joint mobility
- Muscle tightness or trigger points in the neck and shoulders
- Reproduction of symptoms with neck movement or palpation
- Neck movement control
- History of trauma, stress, or jaw clenching
We collaborate with GPs or other health professionals if your symptoms indicate a need for further investigation or specialist care.
How physiotherapy can help headaches?
Physiotherapy is supported by growing evidence in helping treat cervicogenic and tension-related headaches — especially when these are linked to neck movement, muscle tightness, or poor posture.
Manual Therapy
Techniques like joint mobilisation, soft tissue release, and trigger point therapy can reduce headache frequency and intensity.
Manual therapy has been shown to reduce symptoms in cervicogenic headaches (Gross et al., 2011; Castien et al., 2013).
Movement Retraining
We help address neck movement patterns that may contribute to sustained tension and headache provocation.
Strengthening and Mobility Work
Specific exercises targeting deep neck flexors, upper back, and scapula stabilisers are key in long-term relief and recurrence prevention.
Exercise therapy, especially neck strengthening, is effective in reducing headache frequency and improving function (Ylinen et al., 2010).
Education & Stress Management Strategies
We provide advice on sleep, workstation setup, and self-management tools such as stretching, breathing, and relaxation techniques to reduce the impact of stress-related muscle tension.
Physio for headaches: FAQs
No. Tension-type and cervicogenic headaches are also common.
Not always. Neck, posture, stress, and vision are common triggers.
Not usually — only if red flags are present.
No. Physio, exercise, stress management, and lifestyle changes can help reduce frequency and severity.
They can be linked — cervical dysfunction often contributes.
No. Most are benign; serious causes are rare but must be ruled out if symptoms suggest.
Yes. With proper diagnosis, many improve through a combination of physio, medical, and lifestyle care.
Areas We Serve
We provide physiotherapy services to clients with headaches across the Perth northern suburbs. Some of the most common areas we serve include:
Doubleview, Scarborough, Innaloo, Woodlands, Wembley Downs, Churchlands, Karrinyup, Gwelup, Osborne Park, City Beach, Floreat, and Trigg.
If you're located nearby and looking for expert headache care, we're just a short drive away.
Additionally, we provide expert and specialist physiotherapy care to many clients who live in Perth and regional Western Australia – your rehabilitation is our priority and many of our clients are prepared to drive further to receive quality care.
Doubleview, Scarborough, Innaloo, Woodlands, Wembley Downs, Churchlands, Karrinyup, Gwelup, Osborne Park, City Beach, Floreat, and Trigg.
If you're located nearby and looking for expert headache care, we're just a short drive away.
Additionally, we provide expert and specialist physiotherapy care to many clients who live in Perth and regional Western Australia – your rehabilitation is our priority and many of our clients are prepared to drive further to receive quality care.
