Millions of people suffer from a headache from time to time. Physiotherapy aims to restore the body to normal function by employing techniques such as massage, manipulation, mobilization, heat, hydrotherapy and electrotherapy. Headaches are a complex type of pain and physiotherapy can help put a stop to them.
After determining the cause of your headache, a physiotherapist will use many techniques and methods to treat the problem. The physiotherapist will suggest exercises and they will also give advice on correcting posture. This advice may include adjusting your work station or alternating furniture at home.
More than 90% of headaches fall into the following four categories:
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Tension or stress headache: The pain is often described as tightness or pressure and may feel like a band around the forehead.
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Migraine headache: These tend to give more intense and pulsating pain, mainly on one side of the head. Sometimes the pain may be preceded by an aura, visual sign, and often other symptoms may accompany the headache, such as loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
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Cervicogenic headache: This headache develops from pressure or damage to the neck or spine. They can be caused by incorrect posture, a whiplash injury or from certain diseases.
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Sinus headache
Sinus headaches:
Symptoms of sinusitis include severe headache, facial pain around the eyes or in the forehead or cheeks, pain in the roof of the mouth or teeth, excessive nasal drainage, fever and chills, feel generally ill, occasionally facial swelling around the eyes, sore throat, earache, frequent nosebleeds, and breath odor.
The physiotherapist also has other options for sinus therapy. Use can be made of nebulization, laser and light therapy, ultrasound therapy, and rinoflow therapy, to mention but a few of the treatment modalities. Excellent results are normally achieved in two to three treatments with the abovementioned physiotherapy techniques. Bear in mind, however, that results depend on the state of the sinusitis (i.e. acute or chronic), patient compliance (i.e. whether cutting down on smoking, attending treatment) and most importantly, early referral achieves quicker results which inevitably saves on medical costs.
Reference and picture: http://harrismithmedforum.blogspot.co.za/2011/05/role-of-physiotherapy-in-sinusitis-and.html
