Headaches & TMJ Care

Headaches can be mild (tension or sinus) or completely debilitating (migraines, cluster).

 

Over 33 million Americans, mostly women, suffer from migraines. Cluster headaches, also known as one-sided and “suicide” headaches, are relatively rare by comparison, and men are more often the victims. Tension headaches, by far the most common type, strike women more frequently than men and can last from 15 minutes to days on end. In addition, many people with chronic pain and/or cervical pain suffer from headaches. Headaches can be symptomatic of other illnesses such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.

 

While no single treatment can eliminate all headaches, most headaches are treatable. Symptoms and pain can often be reduced with manual physical therapy techniques and biofeedback. Muscle strains in the neck, upper back and shoulder muscles are among the most common causes of headaches. Poor posture can also create strain that leads to headaches. Our manual therapy treatment techniques get to the source of strain and eliminate the cause of the headache. We use soft-tissue mobilization and myofascial release to decrease restrictions and reposition affected joints. At Summit Physical Therapy, we also emphasize patient education because the more you know about your condition, the better you can cope with it.

 

Another common ailment is temporomandibular joint dysfunction or TMJ. Problems can occur at the joint where your lower jaw joins your skull immediately in front of the ear on each side of your head. You use this joint to chew, talk and swallow. It is one of the most frequently used joints in your body and one of the most complex.

 

TMJ can cause pain, headaches and lost function. Over the years, we’ve developed special treatments for TMJ. These treatments can reduce pain and restore your function. Our treatments include joint and soft-tissue mobilization to gently reposition the joint and reduce restriction. We also provide specialized home exercise programs to strengthen, stretch and mobilize the temporomandibular joint and the cervicothoracic spine.

 

Summit Physical Therapy has established itself as an exceptional facility because of our well-trained staff, advanced technology and individualized care. We care about each patient’s success, and we’re dedicated to helping them achieve their goals.

Please visit our Patient Education Library to learn more about Headaches & TMJ Care or call Summit Physical Therapy today at 972-732-7797.