Let’s be real: headaches are the worst. One minute you’re fine, the next you’re squinting at your screen, rubbing your temples, and wondering if caffeine, stretching, or sheer willpower will make it go away.
Here’s something most people don’t know: physical therapy can actually help with headaches—especially the kind caused by poor posture, tight muscles, or stress.
Let’s dive in 👇
🧠 Wait—What Do Headaches Have to Do with Physical Therapy?
A lot, actually!
Many headaches come from tension in your neck, shoulders, or upper back. These are called tension headaches or cervicogenic headaches (which just means they start in your neck). These bad boys can cause:
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Neck pain or stiffness
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Pain that starts at the base of your skull
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Headaches that get worse with movement or screen time
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Pressure behind your eyes or around your temples
If that sounds familiar… you might not need more coffee—you might need a physical therapist.
🧑⚕️ How Physical Therapy Can Help Your Headaches
Physical therapists are movement experts. When it comes to headache relief, they’re trained to find the root cause and fix it. Here’s how they do it:
✨ Posture correction
You’d be shocked what a difference sitting straighter can make.
👐 Manual therapy
That means hands-on techniques to release tension in your neck and shoulders.
🧘 Stretching & strengthening
PTs teach you how to loosen tight muscles and build up weak ones to stop the pain from coming back.
💺 Ergonomic tips
Work from a desk or spend hours on your phone? Your PT can adjust your setup so your neck stops suffering.
🧠 Relaxation strategies
Yes, PTs even help you manage stress. Less tension = fewer headaches.
🏡 Quick Tips to Try Right Now
Here are a few PT-inspired moves to give your head some relief:
🔄 Neck rolls – Gently roll your head in slow circles to release neck tension
🙆♀️ Shoulder shrugs & rolls – Loosen tight traps and improve blood flow
📱 Chin tucks – Pretend you’re making a double chin (we know, it’s weird—but it works!) to strengthen neck muscles
Tip: If it hurts—stop. Pain is not the goal!
🙋♂️ Who Should Try PT for Headaches?
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People with frequent tension headaches
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Desk workers or students
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Anyone with poor posture
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People with neck pain and stiffness
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Anyone tired of relying on pain meds for relief
✅ Benefits of PT for Headache Relief
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Fewer headaches
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Less neck and shoulder pain
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Better posture
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Improved focus and mood
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Natural, drug-free relief
🎯 Final Thoughts
Headaches don’t have to be your normal. If tension, posture, or stress is behind your pain, physical therapy might be the relief you didn’t know you needed.
So next time your head’s pounding, skip the third cup of coffee and think PT instead. Your head (and neck) will thank you.
