Find Relief from Migraines Through Physical Therapy in Brentwood, MO. Physical therapy focuses on treating the physical roots of migraines—such as muscular tension, poor posture, and balance problems—to reduce pain and prevent future attacks.
If migraines are keeping you from living life on your terms, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to just “deal with it.” These episodes can affect your energy, productivity, and daily happiness, whether they’re brief or long-lasting.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we help people in Brentwood, MO area relieve migraine pain by targeting physical sources such as neck stiffness, jaw alignment, and vestibular dysfunction. Our licensed St. Louis physical therapists develop individualized treatment plans that target your specific symptoms and help restore your comfort and quality of life.
Don’t let migraines dictate your daily routine—Axes is here to help. With multiple convenient locations across the St. Louis Metro Area, getting help is simple and close to home.
Article Summary: Physical Therapy Migraine Relief in Brentwood, MO
- Physical therapy can help reduce migraine frequency and intensity by targeting neck tension, poor posture, and vestibular dysfunction.
- Common techniques include manual therapy, dry needling, vestibular rehab, postural correction, and stretching.
- Migraines related to neck dysfunction or balance problems respond well to physical therapy.
- PT is not a cure, but it supports long-term migraine management and complements medical care.
- Explore migraine classifications and how physical therapy may address each.
- Get started with migraine treatment—contact your closest Axes Physical Therapy clinic.
Understanding Migraine Types
Not all migraines are the same—and understanding which type you’re experiencing can help guide your treatment options.
Although often linked to severe head pain, migraines can show up differently in each person.
Below are five migraine types that we commonly address in physical therapy.
- Migraine with Aura
This type of migraine includes visual or sensory symptoms like light flashes or numbness that appear before the headache sets in.
- Migraine without Aura
These migraines typically involve intense pain without the visual or sensory symptoms that come with aura.
- Vestibular Migraine
Symptoms like dizziness and disorientation are common, and vestibular PT is often an effective treatment.
- Cervicogenic Headache (Migraine-Like)
Neck-based headaches that resemble migraines but stem from spinal misalignment or tension in the cervical spine.
- Chronic Migraine
Chronic migraines occur frequently—more than half the days in a month—and typically require a comprehensive treatment plan.
Recognizing your migraine type helps your healthcare providers, including your local physical therapist, create a care strategy that fits your needs.
At Axes, our Brentwood, 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 Physical Therapy in Brentwood, MO Helps Ease Migraines
By targeting physical triggers such as neck stiffness, poor alignment, and vestibular imbalance, physical therapy helps reduce migraine frequency and intensity.
Migraine pain can be intensified by physical stressors, including muscular imbalances, misalignment, and problems with your vestibular system. The right physical therapy plan can ease these physical stressors and help prevent future episodes.
Some of the ways PT helps reduce migraine symptoms include:
- Reduces muscular tension in the neck and shoulders, which may lead to migraine relief
- Improves spinal alignment and muscle symmetry to reduce physical stress
- Helps relieve cervicogenic headaches caused by cervical spine dysfunction
- Improves vestibular function for those with dizziness or vertigo
- Promotes lasting relief through patient education and targeted movement strategies
Our Migraine Treatment Techniques in Brentwood, MO
At Axes, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all plans. Your care will be tailored to your specific symptoms, triggers, and goals.
Your treatment plan may include a combination of the following methods, based on what your Brentwood, MO physical therapist finds during your evaluation:
- Manual Therapy – Therapies involving joint movement and soft tissue release to address stiffness and tension in upper body muscles.
- Dry Needling – A targeted technique using thin needles to release tight muscles that may be contributing to migraine pain.
- Vestibular Therapy – Balance-focused rehab designed to reduce vertigo and dizziness, particularly helpful for vestibular migraine patients.
- Postural Training – Strategies and exercises to improve spinal alignment and reduce muscle strain during daily activities.
- Targeted Strengthening – Exercises to build resilience in the neck, shoulders, and upper back.
- Stretching & Mobility Work – Therapeutic stretching to increase mobility and relax stiff muscles linked to headaches.
- TENS or Heat/Cold Therapy – Modalities that soothe sore areas and help regulate nerve activity related to migraines.
- Home Exercise Program – A take-home plan to reinforce your progress and help you stay in control of your symptoms.
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.
We take the time to listen to your experience and tailor your treatment plan to your body, lifestyle, and goals.
At your first visit, here’s what we’ll typically cover:
- Postural and neck mobility assessment
- Tests to check your stability and vestibular function
- Guidance on identifying migraine triggers and how to avoid them
- Collaborative care planning with your Brentwood, MO physician (if needed)
Relief starts with awareness—your first visit lays the foundation for real, lasting improvement.
Does Physical Therapy Cure Migraines?
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.
Axes Physical Therapy supports a multidisciplinary approach, meaning we work closely with your primary care provider or neurologist in Brentwood, MO to complement your current treatment plan safely and effectively.
What Makes Axes the Right Choice for Migraine Relief in Brentwood, MO?
Axes Physical Therapy provides migraine relief for Brentwood, MO residents through personalized, compassionate treatment.
From your first visit to your final session, we focus on what matters most—your relief and recovery.
Why so many people in Brentwood, MO choose Axes for migraine therapy:
- Personalized, hands-on care with licensed physical therapists
- Convenient clinics across Brentwood, MO and the surrounding St. Louis Metro
- No referral needed (Direct Access PT)
- Friendly, supportive team who listens and empowers
- Expertise in treating vestibular, postural, and cervicogenic migraine symptoms
We treat every person with the same care we’d want for ourselves or our family.
Start Your Journey to Migraine Relief in Brentwood, MO
It’s time to take control of your migraines and your schedule—let Axes help.
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.
Brentwood, MO Physical Therapy for Migraines – Your Questions Answered
Is physical therapy effective for treating migraines?
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 treatments do physical therapists use for migraines?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but common treatments include balance retraining, dry needling, joint mobilization, and posture-focused exercises.
Is a referral required for migraine treatment at Axes?
Not at all. You can start PT at Axes without seeing your doctor first, and we’ll collaborate with them as needed to support your care plan.
How quickly does physical therapy help with migraines?
Many people notice improvements within a few weeks, especially when migraines are triggered by posture, tension, or balance issues. Long-term success depends on consistency and following your home program.
What’s the difference between cervicogenic headaches and migraines?
Cervicogenic headaches start in the neck or spine and can mimic migraines. Physical therapy is often the first line of treatment for cervicogenic headaches and can also benefit people who experience both types.