More Than Just a Headache: How Physiotherapy Can Help Manage Migraines

19 Jun More Than Just a Headache: How Physiotherapy Can Help Manage Migraines

By Jovanni Williams - Physiotherapist

June is Migraine Awareness Month, an initiative led by Migraine Australia to raise awareness of a condition that affects more than 4.9 million Australians. Here’s how Physiotherapy can help manage migraines.

Migraines are more than just headaches. They can bring intense pain, nausea, light sensitivity, and fatigue that interfere with work, family life, and exercise. For many people, migraines are also linked with neck tension, posture, jaw clenching, stress, and other physical triggers.

Evidence suggests physiotherapy can be a valuable component of migraine management, particularly for people with associated neck pain, musculoskeletal impairments, or reduced physical activity.

Physiotherapy may help by addressing some of the musculoskeletal factors that can contribute to migraine symptoms. A tailored assessment can look at your neck, upper back, posture, jaw, movement habits, and daily triggers to better understand what may be aggravating your migraines. Physiotherapy treatment may include:

• Gentle manual therapy
• Soft tissue work
• Mobility exercises
• Posture and ergonomic advice
• Relaxation strategies
• A personalised movement plan.

If migraines are becoming a regular part of your life, early support can make a real difference. Many people wait until symptoms become severe, but getting assessed sooner may help reduce the frequency or intensity of flare ups over time.

At Everton Park Sports and Spinal Physiotherapy, we take a practical, individualised approach to caring for people with migraines. We focus on finding areas of tension and movement dysfunction, meaning your care plan is designed around your body, your routine and your goals.

Physiotherapy can help manage migraines with treatment playing an important role in your multidisciplinary management plan.

We’re here to help you take the next step with confidence. If you’re looking for a clinic that understands headaches, neck tension, and migraine-related symptoms, book an appointment with our team today. A personalised physio assessment could be the first step toward feeling clearer, calmer, and more in control.

Call 3354 1819 or book online to see a physiotherapist at Everton Park Sports and Spinal Physiotherapy for your assessment.

Jovanni is passionate about helping people move better, feel better, and get back to doing what they love. He has a particular interest in treating headaches and migraines, neck pain, sporting injuries, shoulder conditions and a wide range of musculoskeletal concerns.

He takes a thorough, patient-centred approach identifying the root cause of symptoms and creating personalised treatment plans that deliver meaningful, long-term results.

Combining hands on treatment, targeted rehabilitation, and practical advice, Jovanni works closely with each patient to reduce pain, restore movement, and build confidence. He has a special interest in the link between neck dysfunction and headaches, helping patients find effective solutions when other treatments may not have provided lasting relief.

References

• Lemmens J, et al. (2019). The effect of aerobic exercise on the number of migraine days, duration and pain intensity in migraine: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Journal of Headache and Pain, 20.

• La Touche, R. et al. (2023). Prescription of therapeutic exercise in migraine, an evidence-based clinical practice guideline. The Journal of Headache and Pain, 24(1), 68.

• Luedtke, K., Allers, A., Schulte, L. H., & May, A. (2016). Efficacy of interventions used by physiotherapists for patients with headache and migraine—systematic review and meta-analysis. Cephalalgia, 36(5), 474-492.

• Luedtke K, et al. (2023). Musculoskeletal dysfunctions and physiotherapy treatment strategies in patients with migraine. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 66(1), 102805.

• Liang Z, Castaldo M. (2025). Individualised physiotherapy assessment and management of migraine: The role of cervical sensitisation and musculoskeletal disorder. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, 80, 103439.

• Carvalho, G.F. et al. (2020). Physical therapy and migraine: Musculoskeletal and balance dysfunctions and their relevance for clinical practice. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 24(4), 306-317.