Physical Therapy for Headaches and Migraines in Bakersfield
Headaches that squeeze like a tight band, start at the base of your skull, or keep coming back as migraines. Physical therapy can't fix every headache, but it can help many, alongside your doctor's care.
Physical therapy can help many headaches, and it can be a useful part of migraine care. It works best for tension-type headaches and for headaches that start in the neck (cervicogenic headaches). Physical therapy does not cure migraine, and your doctor's treatment stays at the center of migraine care. But many people with migraines also have neck pain, tight shoulders or daily habits that physical therapy can help with. At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist.
Does this sound like you?
✓Headaches that feel like steady pressure or a tight band around your head
✓Headaches that start at the base of your skull or come with a stiff, sore neck
✓Headaches that build after long hours at a desk, driving or looking at your phone
✓Migraines that come with neck pain or tight, tender shoulders
✓Sore, tight muscles in your neck, upper back or jaw
✓You want ways to manage headaches that work alongside your medicine
Three common kinds of headache
Many people have more than one kind, and knowing which you have helps decide what will help.
Tension-type headaches are the most common. They usually feel like dull, steady pressure on both sides of the head. Tight neck and shoulder muscles, stress and poor sleep often play a part.
Headaches that start in the neck (cervicogenic headaches) usually begin at the base of the skull on one side and come with a stiff neck. Our neck pain and headaches guide explains these in detail.
Migraines are often throbbing, often on one side, and can come with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Some people see flashing lights or zigzag lines first. Migraine is a medical condition that your doctor diagnoses and treats.
How physical therapy fits into migraine care
Physical therapy is not a replacement for migraine medicine or your doctor's care. It can add to that care in a few ways:
Neck and upper back treatment. Neck pain and stiffness are common with migraines, and easing them can make you more comfortable.
Regular exercise. Steady, moderate exercise can help some people with migraines. Hard, sudden effort can bring on a headache in some people, so we start gently.
Trigger management. A simple headache diary of sleep, meals, stress, screen time and activity can help you and your doctor spot patterns.
Relaxation and breathing to ease the muscle tension that often comes with stress.
Keep your doctor in the loop, and don't change your medicines without talking to them first.
Desk habits and daily routines
There isn't one perfect posture. What often feeds headaches is staying in one position too long, so the same neck and shoulder muscles never get a break. Small changes can help:
Raise your screen so the top is near eye level, and hold your phone higher.
Get up and move every 30 to 45 minutes.
Keep regular sleep and meal times, and drink enough water.
Notice jaw clenching, which can add to headaches. See TMJ and jaw pain.
Your first visit takes about 45 to 60 minutes. We go through your headache pattern and what your doctor has told you, check your neck, upper back, shoulders and jaw, and screen for warning signs that need a doctor.
2
Hands-on care and exercise
Gentle hands-on treatment for stiff joints and tight muscles in the neck and upper back, exercises for the deep neck and shoulder blade muscles, and a gentle exercise plan that builds up slowly.
3
Habits that last
Changes to your desk, phone and sleep routines, help with a headache diary, a plan for flare-ups, and a short home program.
No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.
When to see a doctor first
Get medical care right away if you have:
A sudden, severe headache that hits its peak within a minute (a “thunderclap” headache), or the worst headache of your life: call 911
A headache with weakness, numbness, a drooping face, confusion, trouble speaking, vision loss or fainting: call 911
A headache with fever and a stiff neck: get emergency care
A headache after a head injury, even one that seemed minor: see a doctor or go to the ER
A new kind of headache after age 50, or headaches that are steadily getting worse or changing pattern
A migraine that feels very different from your usual ones, or jaw pain when chewing or vision changes with a new headache
Why patients choose ARI
Care at ARI is always one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist at our Bakersfield clinic: 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. Our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.
Headache and migraine FAQs
It can help as one part of your care. Physical therapy does not cure migraine, but it can ease the neck pain and muscle tension many people with migraines have, help you build a safe exercise routine, and help you spot triggers. Your doctor's treatment stays central.
Tension headaches usually feel like steady pressure on both sides. Neck headaches usually start at the base of the skull on one side and come with a stiff neck. Migraines are often throbbing, with nausea or sensitivity to light. Your doctor diagnoses migraine, and a physical therapy evaluation can check how much your neck is involved.
Often, yes. Tension-type headaches usually feel like a dull, steady pressure or a tight band around the head. Many people with frequent tension headaches also have tight, tender muscles in the neck, shoulders and scalp. Strengthening and stretching for the neck and upper back has been shown to reduce headache days for some people. Physical therapy can also add hands-on care for tight muscles and stiff joints, changes to daily habits like movement breaks and sleep position, and relaxation and breathing for stress-related tension. Results vary, and it can take several weeks of steady practice to notice a change.
Steady, moderate exercise like walking or cycling, built up gradually, suits many people. Warming up, drinking water and not skipping meals can help. Your therapist will help you find a level that works for you.
No, not on your own. Talk to your doctor before changing any medicine. Physical therapy is meant to work alongside your medical care, not replace it.
No. In California you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage, so call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.