• Migraine headaches
• Tension headaches
• Cluster headaches
• Menstrual headaches
• Cervicogenic (coming from the neck) headaches
• Trigeminal neuralgia

It is now widely accepted in the literature that the underlying cause of headache is a sensitised brain stem (this is the area at the base of the brain where all the information coming from the body is filtered before reaching your brain). The upper cervical spine is directly capable of sensitising the brainstem, so any disorder in the upper 3 segments of the brain can result in a sensitised brainstem and therefore headache and migraine.

Many headaches, possibly 80%, including migraine have a cervical (neck) component contributing to the problem.

Having done extensive post-graduate study and through years of experience, Melissa will be able to immediately diagnose if your headache has a cervical component and if so, instigate a treatment plan to eradicate it.

The first visit will involve the physiotherapist taking a complete history of your problem, followed by a gentle assessment of your neck. There is no cracking or manipulation required and we can usually tell within the first session if your neck is likely to be contributing to your headaches and migraines. We will commence treatment on your neck within the first session if we feel the neck is involved. This involves gentle manual therapy.

It is recommended to commence treatment with 4 sessions over 2 weeks – it is expected that improvement in either frequency, duration or severity will be seen in this time – even in longstanding headache / migraines.