Headaches are one of the most common reasons that people see their primary care physician and they account for 20% of outpatient visits to neurologists.  Persons with chronic headaches report disabling symptoms that interfere with daily activities.  Many have sought numerous different treatment approaches, have accepted that their headaches are a fact of life and have become dependent on medications to relieve their symptoms.

The International Headache Society has classified hundreds of different types of headaches into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches.  Primary headaches are the most common headache type and have a single cause.  They include migraine, tension-type, cluster and others. Secondary headaches are classified according to their causes.  Examples of secondary headaches are headaches attributed to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and cervicogenic headaches, which are attributed to mechanical disorders of the neck.  Both are treated by various clinicians including osteopaths, dentists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical therapists.

Sources of headaches are often a combination of factors, including musculoskeletal, psychological, neurovascular, nutritional and chemical imbalances in the brain.  Some headaches relate to or are indicative of a disease process; some are life threatening and others benign.  Thus, a thorough medical evaluation is necessary with any onset of a new or ongoing headache.  Most researchers agree that there is a musculoskeletal component in tension-type, cervicogenic, and TMJ disorder related headaches.

A thorough physical therapy examination attempts to determine the type of headache and to define the neuromusculoskeletal factors contributing to it.  Muscle tension, joint dysfunction of the neck and jaw, poor posture and stress are factors that can be addressed and treated by a skilled physical therapist trained in manual therapy.

The muscles of the face, head, neck and may contain tight bands and contraction knots called myofascial trigger points.  Trigger points found in these muscles typically refer pain to the head, causing headaches.  Manual physical therapy addressing muscle tension involves the release of those trigger points, stretching the involved muscle and soft tissue, and restoring normal muscle function.  Trigger point release can be accomplished by manual techniques and dry-needling.  Dry-needling is a technique in which a thin acupuncture needle is used to deactivate the trigger points and proves to be highly effective.

Dysfunction in the spinal joints of the upper neck and of the TMJ can directly cause headaches or can trigger migraine or tension-type headaches.  Treatment of spine dysfunction may include mobilization/manipulation of the spine or jaw and the performance of stabilization exercises of the neck and shoulder girdle.  In the case of TMJ dysfunction, referral to a dentist may be indicated for splint therapy and other dental interventions.

Prolonged poor posture of the head, neck and shoulders leads to the overloading of muscles, which in turn results in the development of trigger points and altered mechanics of the spine and TMJ.  Physical therapy treatment may include education for postural correction and prescription of a postural strengthening program.  In cases where stress is a contributing factor — which it almost always is — treatment would include education with relaxation and breathing techniques.

If you are a headache sufferer and you are looking for a way to manage your headaches beyond using medication, talk to a manually trained physical therapist about possible conservative treatment options.

APTA ENDORSES BackTpack®

ALEXANDRIA, VA, February 9, 2007 — The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has endorsed the BackTpack®, an innovative carrying system that uses the vertical force of gravity to ensure proper alignment of the skeleton, developed by physical therapist and APTA member Marilyn Miller von Foerster, PT.

School student wearing the BackTpack.

“Physical therapists are acutely aware of the postural problems children face when trying to adapt to a heavy load, such as arching the back, bending forward, or leaning to one side,” said R Scott Ward, PT, PhD, president of APTA. “The backpack was designed so that children and adults may be better able to maintain correct posture while carrying a load,” Ward said. “We are pleased to be able to endorse a product that can contribute to the effort to prevent back pain and improve balance.”

The BackTpack® is available in sizes for children and adults from 4′0″ to 6′3″ tall. Its vertical design allows for proper posture, and the side pockets and cell phone and pen pockets offer better balance, easy accessibility, and overall convenience when standing, sitting, or walking.

“It is crucial for lifelong spinal health to practice good posture habits, especially during the years of rapid and permanent skeletal development,” Miller von Foerster noted. “I am pleased to be able to use my education and training as a physical therapist in this way and to offer the BackTpack® as a new tool to help people of all ages achieve improved posture and reduce the incidence of back pain.”

Miller von Foerster, who has helped patients with back conditions for 35 years, is a native Oregonian and received degrees from the University of Oregon, Duke University School of Physical Therapy, and San Francisco State University. For more information on the BackTpack®, visit www.backtpack.com.

Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. PTs examine each individual and develop a plan of care using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability.

The American Physical Therapy Association (www.apta.org) is a national organization representing nearly 70,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students nationwide. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapist education, practice, and research. Consumers can access “Find a PT” to find a physical therapist in their area, as well as physical therapy news and information, at www.apta.org/consumer. For more information about the meaning of APTA’s product endorsement, visit www.apta.org/productendorsement.

Available at ISSA PHYSICAL THERAPY in a number of different styles, sizes and colors.

The BackTpack is perferct for traveling.

Great for parents on the go.