Find Relief from Migraines Through Physical Therapy in Barretts, MO. Physical therapy targets physical contributors like neck stiffness, postural imbalances, and vestibular dysfunction to ease symptoms and support long-term relief.

Living with migraines isn’t something you just have to accept—you deserve relief. They can strike out of nowhere or drag on for days—impacting everything from your sleep to your job to your time with family.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we help people in Barretts, MO area find relief from migraine symptoms by addressing underlying physical triggers like neck tension, jaw dysfunction, and balance system issues. Our licensed St. Louis physical therapists use evidence-based techniques and one-on-one care to support long-term migraine relief and recovery.

If you’re ready to stop letting migraines control your life, we’re here to help. With multiple convenient locations across the St. Louis Metro Area, you’re never far from the expert care you need.

Quick Overview: Physical Therapy for Migraine Relief in Barretts, MO

• By focusing on posture, muscle tightness, and balance issues, physical therapy can reduce how often migraines occur and how severe they are.
• Common techniques include manual therapy, dry needling, vestibular rehab, postural correction, and stretching.
• PT is commonly used to treat cervicogenic and vestibular migraine symptoms.
• PT is not a cure, but it supports long-term migraine management and complements medical care.
• Understand which kind of migraine you may have and how PT can help.
• Start your recovery today by scheduling an appointment at your nearest Axes location.

Different Types of Migraines

Knowing the type of migraine you’re facing can help your care team choose the right therapy.

Migraine symptoms vary widely and may include more than just head pain.

Let’s explore some of the most frequently diagnosed migraine types:

• Migraine with Aura

  Characterized by temporary neurological symptoms like zigzag lines, visual spots, or tingling, usually appearing ahead of the migraine pain.

• Migraine without Aura

  Most people experience this type—headaches occur without visual disturbances or aura, and pain is often localized to one side.

• Vestibular Migraine

  Characterized by dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues, with or without head pain. This type often overlaps with inner ear dysfunction and responds well to vestibular physical therapy.

• Cervicogenic Headache (Migraine-Like)

  Originating in the cervical spine, these headaches are frequently confused with migraines and respond well to manual therapy and posture correction.

• Chronic Migraine

  Defined as experiencing migraine symptoms on 15 or more days per month for at least three months. These may require a multidisciplinary approach that includes medication, lifestyle changes, and physical therapy.

Recognizing your migraine type helps your healthcare providers, including your local physical therapist, create a care strategy that fits your needs.

At Axes, our Barretts, MO therapists are trained to recognize the signs of different migraine types and collaborate with your physician to make sure you’re getting the right support.

How Does Barretts, MO Physical Therapy Help with Migraine Relief?

Physical therapy offers a natural, non-invasive approach to migraine relief by focusing on musculoskeletal and balance-related dysfunctions.

While migraines may originate in the brain, physical contributors like muscle tightness, posture issues, and balance dysfunction often play a major role. Physical therapy offers a hands-on, drug-free way to reduce those triggers and support long-term relief.

Here’s how physical therapy helps relieve migraines:

• Relieves tightness in the upper body that can trigger or worsen headaches
• Corrects posture and muscle imbalances that increase strain on the spine
• Targets neck-related headaches that mimic migraine symptoms
• Supports balance and reduces vertigo symptoms often tied to vestibular migraines
• Empowers patients with tools and exercises for long-term symptom control

Our Migraine Treatment Techniques in Barretts, MO

There’s no universal formula for treating migraines at Axes—your care plan is based on your individual symptoms and needs.

Depending on your evaluation and diagnosis, your Barretts, MO physical therapist may use a combination of the following techniques:

• Manual Therapy – Therapies involving joint movement and soft tissue release to address stiffness and tension in upper body muscles.
• Dry Needling – This approach involves inserting thin needles into specific areas to reduce deep muscle tightness linked to migraines.
• Vestibular Therapy – Exercises to retrain your balance system and reduce symptoms of dizziness, especially for vestibular migraines.
• Postural Training – Training focused on optimizing how you sit, stand, and move to support healthy alignment.
• Targeted Strengthening – Focused movement routines to support key muscles involved in posture and neck stability.
• Stretching & Mobility Work – Therapeutic stretching to increase mobility and relax stiff muscles linked to headaches.
• TENS or Heat/Cold Therapy – Pain-relieving modalities that calm irritated nerves and ease muscle tightness.
• Home Exercise Program – Ongoing exercises designed to support your therapy goals outside the clinic.

Consistency and personalization are key to migraine relief through PT—and that’s exactly what we provide.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your first physical therapy visit for migraine relief includes a full-body evaluation to identify the root causes of your symptoms.

At Axes, we align your care with your body’s needs, your goals, and your daily life.

You can expect the following during your first PT session:

• Assessment of your posture and range of motion in the neck
• Tests to check your stability and vestibular function
• Education on lifestyle triggers and prevention strategies
• Coordination with your doctor in Barretts, MO to ensure cohesive care

Relief starts with awareness—your first visit lays the foundation for real, lasting improvement.

Can PT Eliminate Migraines Completely?

While PT won’t eliminate migraines entirely, it can greatly reduce how often they occur and how severe they are.

Our approach targets the underlying issues—like poor posture, neck tension, or vestibular dysfunction—that can trigger or worsen migraines.

At Axes, we believe in collaborative care—we communicate with your physician or neurologist in Barretts, MO to ensure safe and integrated treatment.

What Makes Axes the Right Choice for Migraine Relief in Barretts, MO?

We help people in Barretts, MO take control of their migraines through expert, one-on-one care.

We center our care around you—your needs, your progress, and your long-term relief.

Here’s what sets Axes apart:

• Custom care plans delivered by highly trained physical therapists
• Multiple locations throughout the Greater St. Louis area
• Start care without a doctor’s referral (Direct Access)
• A team that’s committed to hearing your story and helping you succeed
• Expertise in treating vestibular, postural, and cervicogenic migraine symptoms

At Axes, you’ll never feel like just a number—your care truly matters to us.

Start Your Journey to Migraine Relief in Barretts, MO

Don’t let migraines dictate your days—get back to doing what you love with Axes Physical Therapy.

Call the clinic nearest you or schedule an appointment online today. We’ll help you move better, feel better, and find real, lasting relief from migraines.

FAQs: Physical Therapy for Migraine Relief in Barretts, MO

Can PT make a difference in migraine relief?

Absolutely. Physical therapy is highly effective at managing migraine symptoms when physical issues like neck stiffness, balance dysfunction, or posture are involved. It works especially well for cervicogenic and vestibular-related migraines.

What kind of physical therapy is best for migraines?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but common treatments include balance retraining, dry needling, joint mobilization, and posture-focused exercises.

Can I start PT for migraines without a referral?

You don’t need a referral to begin treatment—Missouri and Illinois allow Direct Access, so you can get started right away. If we need to loop in your doctor, we’ll handle that.

How long does it take to see results from migraine physical therapy?

Most patients feel some relief within the first few weeks, depending on their triggers and treatment plan. Following your home program helps ensure continued progress.

What’s the difference between cervicogenic headaches and migraines?

Unlike migraines that originate in the brain, cervicogenic headaches stem from cervical spine dysfunction. Physical therapy is ideal for treating this type of head pain.