Physiotherapy Treatment for Headaches

Headaches are more than just a minor inconvenience — they can disrupt your work, your social life, and your ability to enjoy everyday activities. While painkillers may offer short-term relief, they rarely tackle the underlying cause. If you’re suffering from persistent headaches, physiotherapy for headaches can provide lasting relief by addressing the root cause rather than just masking the symptoms.

At Recover Physio in Norwich, we specialise in diagnosing and treating the underlying reasons for your headaches. Our experienced physiotherapists use evidence-based techniques to reduce pain, restore movement, and give you the tools to prevent future episodes — so you can get back to living headache-free.

What Types of Headaches Can Physiotherapy Treat?

Physiotherapy is one of the most effective non-medical treatments for headaches, particularly when they are caused by muscle tension, posture issues, or problems in the neck. The three main types of headaches we treat at Recover Physio are:

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are the most common type, typically described as a constant ache or pressure around the head — especially at the temples or back of the skull. They are often linked to stress, poor posture, or tight muscles in the neck and shoulders.
Our physiotherapy treatment for tension headaches focuses on reducing muscle tension, correcting posture, and teaching relaxation strategies to relieve symptoms and prevent recurrence.

Cervicogenic Headaches

Cervicogenic headaches are caused by dysfunction in the neck (cervical spine), including joint stiffness, muscular issues, or previous injuries. The pain is often one-sided and worsens with specific neck movements or prolonged postures, such as sitting at a desk.
Through targeted manual therapy, specific neck exercises, and posture correction, our physiotherapists address the root cause of cervicogenic headaches and help prevent flare-ups.

Migraines

While migraines are a complex neurological condition, physical factors such as neck stiffness, muscle imbalances, and posture can trigger or intensify them.
Physiotherapy plays an important role in migraine management by tackling these triggers, reducing muscle tension, and lowering the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.

Some types of headaches — such as cluster headaches, sinus headaches, or those linked to underlying medical conditions — may require medical treatment instead. If you’re unsure what type of headache you’re experiencing, our detailed assessment can help identify the cause and guide you to the most effective treatment.

Physiotherapy for Tension Headaches

Tension-type headaches are often linked to modern lifestyle factors. Hours spent hunched over a desk, looking down at a phone, or carrying stress in your shoulders can cause muscles in your neck and upper back to become tight and overworked. This tension leads to the characteristic “band-like” pressure around the head.

Office workers, students, and drivers are particularly prone to tension headaches, but anyone with a static posture is at risk.

At Recover Physio, we go beyond symptom relief. Our expert physiotherapists identify and correct the underlying issues contributing to your tension headaches. Your personalised treatment plan may include:

• Manual therapy to release tight neck and shoulder muscles

• Postural correction exercises to improve alignment and reduce strain

• Ergonomic advice to optimise your workspace and prevent future headaches

By addressing both the causes and symptoms, we help you achieve long-term relief from tension headaches.

Physiotherapy for Cervicogenic Headaches

Cervicogenic headaches originate from the neck, with pain referred upward into the head. Common causes include whiplash injuries, osteoarthritis, disc issues, or chronic poor posture. These headaches are typically one-sided and worsen with neck movement or sustained positions.

Physiotherapy for cervicogenic headaches is highly effective because it treats the source of the pain — the cervical spine. Our treatment approach may include:

• Gentle joint mobilisation to restore normal neck movement

• Soft tissue techniques to release tight muscles

• Targeted strengthening exercises to stabilise the neck and prevent future episodes

By improving mobility and muscle balance, physiotherapy can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of cervicogenic headaches.

Physiotherapy for Migraines

Migraines are often triggered or worsened by physical factors like neck tension, muscle imbalance, or poor posture. While physiotherapy cannot “cure” migraines, it is a powerful tool in reducing how often they occur and how severe they are.

Our migraine-focused physiotherapy aims to:

• Reduce tension in the neck and shoulders

• Improve posture to decrease physical triggers

• Strengthen supporting muscles to build resilience against migraine episodes

Incorporating physiotherapy into your migraine management plan can help you regain control over your symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life.

Our 4 key areas of physiotherapy focus

Based on your assessment, we will develop a personalised treatment plan. Our approach is hands-on and focused on empowering you with the knowledge to manage your condition effectively. Our treatment will focus on four key areas:

1. Posture & Ergonomic Advice: We provide practical advice and targeted exercises to improve the alignment of your head, neck, and shoulders during your daily activities.
2. Muscle Strengthening: We target weak stabilising muscles, particularly the deep neck flexors and upper back muscles, to reduce the strain on your joints and soft tissues.
3. Stretching & Soft Tissue Techniques: We use a range of hands-on techniques, including massage and trigger point release, to relieve muscle tightness and reduce tension-related pain.
4. Stress Management & Lifestyle Education: We help you learn relaxation techniques and other strategies to manage your triggers, prevent flare-ups, and improve your overall wellbeing.

By addressing these areas, you can expect reduced frequency and intensity of your headaches, improved posture and mobility, and a greater sense of control over your symptoms.

Find Lasting Relief from Headaches

If headaches are affecting your daily life, you don’t have to rely on painkillers or “wait it out.” At Recover Physio in Norwich, we help people find lasting relief from tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, and migraine-related headaches through tailored physiotherapy treatment.

Speak to a Therapist

If you would like to discuss your condition to find out how we can help, you can speak to one of our friendly therapists. Just click below to request a callback from a member of our team.

Alternatively, if you would like to get going with your treatment straight away you can book an Initial Assessment online by clicking the link below.

Find your nearest branch

If you’d like to book an initial consultation, you can book online at our Princes Street clinic in Norwich city centre, or our clinic at The Nest on Holt Road.