Physica Headache Clinic
Physica clinics have staff with additional post graduate skills in the management and treatment of headaches. This service assists our patients in cervicogenic headache management but also offers professional development to other clinicians in the assessment and treatment of Musculoskeletal headaches. Staff working in this area work alongside GPs and neurologists who share expertise in this region. Headache is considered to be pain in the head which can extend from the skull into the side, front or top of the head. 15-20 % of all chronic and recurrent headaches are attributed to problems in the upper three joints in the neck.
Assessment
Identify what is going on for you and what the source of the problem is
Treatment
Provide you with treatment to get you moving in the right direction immediately
Plan
Create a tailored solution to help you get the results that you want personally
Migraines
Migraine is a severe headache generally on one side of the head associated with nausea, vomiting and auras (visual disturbance, e.g. Flickering). These patients, when having an episode avoid normal daily activities and often need rest to recover. There is a strong genetic link with migraine sufferers, and medication can help manage symptoms..
Common causes of headaches include; dysfunction in the upper three joints of the neck, poor posture, cervical spine muscle weakness, trauma such as whiplash or serious pathology, which may require medical involvement. Other risk factors include; stress, hormonal factors and diet. The key to successful treatment is identifying the underlying driving mechanism. In cervicogenic headache, the mechanism is via the trigeminocervical nucleus (TCN) (a specific part of the brainstem) which acts as a relay zone for input from the neck and the head up to the brain. We know that patients with migraine and tension-type headache have a sensitised TCN which predisposes them to headaches.
Feel free to Book your first Appointment
Treatment
Your Physica Headache practitioner will take a detailed history to establish the severity, intensity and frequency of your headaches to determine the possible contributing factors. A thorough examination will be performed to identify the specific musculoskeletal impairments (restricted movement, muscle weakness, postural contributions) causing your headache and a management plan will be devised and implemented. Best results consist of a combination of manual therapy and specific exercises for cervicogenic headaches. We will work closely with your G.P and, if required, neurologist to return you to good health.
Several of our Physiotherapists have undertaken post graduate education in the assessment and treatment of neck and jaw related headaches. These are often classified tension type headaches or cervicogenic headaches. Headaches can be a very disabling condition. Our goal is to be able to reproduce and eliminate your headache, whilst helping you mange them for an improved quality of life. Many of our team have over 20 years of clinical experience having helped 1000’s of people with headaches.
Optimum Care
At Physica our team ensure you get the latest treatment techniques to achieve the best outcomes.
Highly Qualified
Our team are some of the highest qualified Physiotherapist in Australia.
Headaches
Headache is considered to be pain in the head which can extend from the skull into the side, front or top of the head. 15-20 % of all chronic and recurrent headaches are attributed to problems in the upper three joints in the neck.
Common headache types include cervicogenic headache (neck origin), tension type headache and migraine. Research has shown that Physiotherapists can accurately diagnose a cervicogenic headache with specific assessment procedures. Further, physiotherapy has been shown to be successful in treating cervicogenic headache patients.
A cervicogenic headache is classically a sidelocked headache that starts with neck pain and stiffness, pain is then referred to the back ,side or front of the head. These headaches are commonly accompanied by restricted neck movement and patients often describes other symptoms such as blurred vision, nausea and light sensitivity.
Tension type headaches are commonly related to muscular tension and are sometimes called ‘stress’ headaches. Pain is often bilateral (both sides) at the back of the head and can refer to the front of the head. There may be associated shoulder pain or stiffness in these patients.
Our Headache Physiotherapists
Clinical Interests
- assessment and management of head/neck disorders especially headache
- treatment of neck-related nerve pain
- thoracic spine
- knee pain
To read more about Greg Collis-Brown click here
Clinical Interests
- Neck pain and headaches
- Jaw (TMJ) injury
- Knees injuries
- Injuries of the foot and ankle
- Low back pain
To read more about Andrew Seymour please click here
Special Interests
- Women’s Health
- Neck & back pain
- Football injuries
- Post-op rehabilitation
- Clinical pilates
- Functional training
- Falls prevention
To read more about Sarah Goh click here
Clinical Interests
- Chronic & recurring back pain
- Sports injuries
- Shoulder rehabilitation
- Exercise programs incorporating Pilates
- Level 1 Lymphoedema Practitioner
- Certified PINC & STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapist.
To read more about Trish click here
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS:
- Sporting injuries (e.g. strains, sprains)
- Post-operative rehabilitation Tendinopathies
- Shoulder pathologies
- Cervicogenic headaches
- Back and Neck pain
- Dry needling
- GLAD program
To read more about Josh click here
Clinical Interests
- Shoulder rehabilitation (rotator cuff/dislocations and replacements)
- Headache associated disorders
- Elbow rehabilitation (tennis and golfers elbow, elbow fractures)
- Running injuries
- Sporting Injuries in children
To read more about Darren click here
Clinical Interests
- Neck Pain and Headache
- Low back pain
- Dry Needling
- Post Surgery Rehabilitation
- Sports Injuries
- Shoulder and Knee pain and associated injuries
To read more about Marcus click here
Clinical INTERESTS
- Persistent neck and low back pain
- Hip, groin and pelvic girdle pain (gluteal tendonitis and hip bursitis)
- Headache associated disorders
- Patellofemoral conditions
- Hand therapy
To read more about Chris click here
SPECIAL INTERESTS
- Neck, mid-back and low back pain
- Pre and Post Concussion management
- Headache associated disorders
- Sports biomechanical assessments
- Complex back, hip pelvic & groin disorders
- Pre and post-surgery rehab
To read more about Anthony please click here
Clinical Interests
- sports injuries (basketball & athletics)
- NBL1 Physiotherapist for Ringwood Hawks
- Tendon dysfunctions – Achilles, shoulder
- Low back pain
- Lower limb injuries including ankle & knees
To read more about Matt click here
Clinical Interests
- Spinal and hip conditions
- Headaches and TMJ (jaw) dysfunction
- Rotator cuff disorders
- Adolescent and paediatric clients
- Post Surgical Rehabilitation
- Clinical Pilates
To read more about Carolyn click here
Clinical Interests
- Headaches
- Neck Pain and Whiplash
- Lower back pain
- Knee pain
- Gluteal Tendinopathy and bursitis
- Shoulder pain – rotator cuff tears and bursitis
To read more about Andi click here
Clinical Interests
- Low Back + Neck pain and headaches
- Ankle and knee injuries
- Shoulder and elbow conditions
- Post Surgery Rehabilitation
- Tendon injuries
- CrossFit and sporting injuries
- Anything that hurts, really!
To read more about Grant click here