Physical Therapy for Headaches in Ann Arbor
If your headaches seem to start in your neck or come with tight shoulders and a stiff upper back, physical therapy can help. Dr. Joe treats tension-type and neck-related headaches at the source, so you’re not just reaching for another pill.
Pain Relievers Treat the Headache. They Don’t Treat the Neck.
Not every headache is the same. Two common types, cervicogenic headaches (which come from the neck) and tension-type headaches, are closely linked to neck stiffness, muscle tension, posture and stress.
Pain relievers can take the edge off, but frequent use has its own downsides, and they do nothing about a stiff neck or overworked upper traps.
We treat the neck, upper back and muscle tension that drive these headaches, and give you strategies to keep them from building back up.
Headache Types We Help With
Physical therapy works best when the neck, upper back or muscle tension is part of the picture.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Headaches that originate from the neck, often one-sided and triggered by neck movement or sustained postures.
Tension-Type Headaches
A band-like pressure around the head, often linked to muscle tension, stress and long hours at a desk.
Desk & Screen Headaches
Headaches that build through the workday alongside neck and shoulder tightness.
Headaches After Whiplash
Neck-related headaches following a car accident, fall or sports collision (after medical clearance).
Headaches With Neck Pain
When neck stiffness and headaches travel together. See our neck pain page.
Is Your Neck Causing Your Headaches?
Cervicogenic headaches are caused by problems in the neck and felt in the head. They often start in the neck or base of the skull, sit on one side, and get worse with certain neck movements or positions.
Research supports hands-on treatment combined with specific neck and upper-back exercise for this type of headache.
Gentle mobilization of stiff joints in the upper neck and mid-back.
Soft tissue work and dry needling for tight neck and shoulder muscles.
Deep neck flexor and upper-back strength so your neck handles long days.
What to Expect at Your First Headache Visit
A full 60 minutes, one-on-one with Dr. Joe. Treatment usually starts the same day.
A detailed headache history
Frequency, location, triggers and what you’ve tried. We also screen for any warning signs that need a physician.
Neck and posture exam
Neck and upper-back motion, muscle tension, and how your neck responds to specific tests.
Treatment and a plan
Hands-on care to ease tension, a few targeted exercises, and strategies to reduce how often headaches build.
How We Treat Headaches
Treat the neck and tension behind the headaches, not just the pain.
Spinal Manipulation & Mobilization
Gentle joint mobilization of the upper neck and mid-back to restore motion.
Learn more →Dry Needling
Releases trigger points in the neck, upper traps and base of the skull.
Learn more →Soft Tissue Mobilization & Cupping
Soft tissue work and cupping for tense neck and shoulder muscles.
Learn more →Strength Training
Deep neck and upper-back strength and endurance to keep headaches from building.
Learn more →Joe is an exceptional physical therapist. He is extremely detail oriented and accurately diagnosed my concerns and symptoms from our first session. He is very knowledgeable and explained everything to me so clearly and concisely. My cervicogenic headaches have gone away after incorporating the exercises he taught me.
Can physical therapy help my headaches?
If your headaches are related to your neck or muscle tension, physical therapy can help. After a detailed history and exam, Dr. Joe will tell you whether PT is a good fit, or whether you should see a physician first.
Do you treat migraines?
Migraine is a neurological condition best managed by a physician. Some people with migraines also have neck-related symptoms that PT can help with, but we won’t promise to treat migraines themselves.
Is dry needling helpful for headaches?
For neck-related and tension-type headaches, dry needling of tight neck and shoulder muscles can be a helpful part of treatment, alongside manual therapy and exercise.
Do you take insurance?
OLO is cash-based and out-of-network. HSA/FSA cards are accepted, and we can provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement. See our FAQ.
When to see a physician first
Physical therapy is a great first stop for most neck-related and tension-type headaches. But some symptoms need a medical evaluation right away. Seek urgent care or call 911 if you have:
- A sudden, severe “worst headache of your life”
- Headache with fever and a stiff neck
- Headache with confusion, weakness, numbness, or vision or speech changes
- A headache after a head injury
- A new or changing headache pattern after age 50
- Headaches that wake you from sleep and keep getting worse
Not sure? Call us. If something in your evaluation doesn’t add up, Dr. Joe will tell you and point you to the right provider.
Related conditions we treat
Ready for Fewer Headaches?
Tell us what’s going on. We’ll call or text to get you scheduled, or set up a free consultation if you’d like to talk it through first.
5.0 ★ from 184 Google reviews · No referral needed to start · HSA/FSA accepted