Headaches

Is Head Discomfort Making It Difficult To Sleep, Lift Weights, Or Conduct Your Regular Job Or Home Duties?

Does this describe you?

You expected the discomfort to go away after a few days or weeks, but it didn't?
You tried heating pads, ice, and home TENS machines, but nothing worked?
You had a couple of massages, but the discomfort reappeared after a few days?
You went to a doctor, who took some photos and gave you an injection or advised you to take some medications, but the relief was short-lived?
You've tried physical therapy before, but it didn't work?
You've determined that if you simply avoid the painful activities, you'll be fine?

We Are Here To Assist You In Finding Long-Term Solutions!

We commonly treat the following headache conditions:

Typical Causes

Impaired Mechanics: Weakness and muscular imbalance cause a reduced range of motion in the joint or muscles; stiffness also affects posture.
Injury: An abrupt force or strain on the tissue.
Chronic Compensations: An injury in the past or the threat of an accident in the future may cause people to avoid utilizing specific muscle groups while concurrently overusing other tissues.

Our Approach

Enhancing Tissue Mobility: Through manual treatment and education, the pain cycle can be broken.
Improving Mechanics: Enhance the area's joint, muscle, and nerve mechanics during routine everyday activities and exercise or sport-specific activities.
Increasing Strength: Boost the tissue's strength, power, and endurance so that it is better equipped to handle all required demands without worrying about suffering another injury.

Specific Treatments for Headaches

Correct thoracic (mid-back) posture.
Lower the tension in the muscles of the upper neck.
Increase neck and chest muscle flexibility.
Use manipulation, manual joint mobilizations, and manual traction to increase joint mobility.
Boost the deep neck flexor and shoulder blade muscle groups’ optimal activation.
Enhance tissue mobility with massage, instrument-assisted mobilization, cupping, and dry needling.
Lessen nerve sensitivity by performing particular nerve exercises (which can reduce arm discomfort, tingling, and numbness).
Advance with plyometric and functional exercises (throwing, catching, pushing, pulling, pressing).

Important Concepts to Know

Tissues Recover: The body is able to heal itself, but occasionally our system becomes stuck in the inflammatory stage of tissue repair and needs assistance to move to the recovery stage.
Imaging Results: MRI and X-ray imaging results frequently have weak correlations with the actual cause of discomfort. Imaging may reveal tissue damage even when there is no discomfort or functional impairment. Additionally, pain may exist despite there being no obvious indications on imaging; this is typically the result of excessive nerve tissue sensitivity.
Exercise Soreness: Although it is not the intended outcome, soreness after exercise is not necessarily cause for alarm. True strength improvements necessitate a system overload that results in microdamage. That tissue grows back stronger and thicker than it did the first time. When determining if the tissue is ready to handle increased load, soreness should be utilized as a gauge. If the tissue is not yet ready, training intensity should be reduced until it is.
Returning to Activities: It is nearly always feasible to return to prior or intended activities with the help of sound instruction, adequate mechanics, and gradual tissue loading.

Take the first step towards feeling better today by booking an appointment with Dr. Angela Pfeiffer, PT, DPT, at Inspire Physical Therapy and Wellness in Byron, IL. We are committed to providing you with the highest quality care to help you achieve long-term relief from your headaches. Don’t delay any further—contact us today!

What Other People Just Like You Are Saying About Inspire Physical Therapy and Wellness in Northern Illinois, IL

- Kathy L.

★★★★★ 5/5

Dr. Angela was able to bring healing to my shoulder, which allowed me to get back into the gym after a nine month hiatus and do every day tasks without pain. Dr. Angela is able to make you feel comfortable, is an attentive listener, and truly wants what’s best for her patients. I highly recommend her services!

- Kirsten C.