Tension Headaches
When the neck is the source — PT can dramatically reduce headache frequency.
Many tension and cervicogenic headaches have a strong cervical component — referred pain from upper cervical joints, suboccipital muscle tension, or sustained postural patterns. PT addressing the cervical source often produces dramatic reductions in headache frequency and severity.
Understanding
What is Tension Headaches?
Cervicogenic headaches refer pain from the upper cervical spine into the head. Tension-type headaches involve sustained muscle tension in the suboccipital, upper trapezius, and temporalis regions. Both respond well to manual therapy, dry needling, and postural intervention.
Our PT Approach
How we treat Tension Headaches
Evidence-based treatment progressed at your pace, with the goal of durable improvement — not just short-term symptom relief.
Typical Recovery Timeline
Most patients see meaningful reduction in headache frequency within 4–6 weeks of focused treatment.
Therapists who treat Tension Headaches
Tension Headaches — FAQs
Are my headaches really coming from my neck?
Often yes — especially if they start at the base of the skull, are one-sided, or are triggered by neck movement or posture. We test cervical sources at the initial evaluation.
What about migraine?
True migraine has a different pathophysiology, but many migraine patients also have cervicogenic triggers that respond to PT — reducing migraine frequency even if not eliminating them.
Get expert PT for Tension Headaches
One-on-one care with a doctor of physical therapy. Same-week new patient slots typically available.