Migraine Relief with Physical Therapy in Foley, 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.
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 Foley, 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.
When you’re ready to take back control from migraines, we’re here for you. With multiple convenient locations across the St. Louis Metro Area, expert care is always within reach.
Article Summary: Physical Therapy Migraine Relief in Foley, MO
- Migraine relief through physical therapy is possible by addressing musculoskeletal and vestibular dysfunction.
- Treatments may involve hands-on therapy, dry needling, vestibular rehab, posture work, and mobility exercises.
- 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.
Common Migraine Variations
Different migraines require different care—understanding which kind you have makes a difference.
While migraines are commonly associated with throbbing head pain, they can present in a variety of ways depending on the person and the trigger.
Below are five migraine types that we commonly address in physical therapy.
- Migraine with Aura
Involves sensory disturbances—such as flashing lights, visual zigzags, or tingling sensations—before the headache begins. Auras typically last 20–60 minutes.
- Migraine without Aura
These migraines typically involve intense pain without the visual or sensory symptoms that come with aura.
- 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
If migraines are persistent throughout the month, they’re considered chronic and benefit from both medical and physical therapy care.
Recognizing your migraine type helps your healthcare providers, including your local physical therapist, create a care strategy that fits your needs.
The Foley, MO physical therapists at Axes understand the various forms migraines can take and work closely with your doctor to ensure proper care.
How Does Foley, 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.
Migraines are often tied to more than just neurological factors. Muscle tension, poor alignment, and vestibular (inner ear and balance) problems can all contribute to the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. The right physical therapy plan can ease these physical stressors and help prevent future episodes.
Physical therapy provides the following benefits for migraine management:
- Reduces muscular tension in the neck and shoulders, which may lead to migraine relief
- Corrects posture and muscle imbalances that increase strain on the spine
- Treats cervicogenic headaches, which originate in the neck
- Improves vestibular function for those with dizziness or vertigo
- Promotes lasting relief through patient education and targeted movement strategies
How We Treat Migraine Symptoms in Foley, MO
There’s no universal formula for treating migraines at Axes—your care plan is based on your individual symptoms and needs.
Your treatment plan may include a combination of the following methods, based on what your Foley, 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 precise method where fine needles are used to release muscle knots and relieve tension-related migraine triggers.
- Vestibular Therapy – Balance-focused rehab designed to reduce vertigo and dizziness, particularly helpful for vestibular migraine patients.
- 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 – Movements designed to improve range of motion and relieve pressure in tension-prone areas.
- TENS or Heat/Cold Therapy – Additional tools like electrical stimulation or temperature therapy to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Home Exercise Program – Custom routines you can follow at home to maintain improvements between sessions.
Consistency and personalization are key to migraine relief through PT—and that’s exactly what we provide.
Your First Physical Therapy Visit for Migraines
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.
You can expect the following during your first PT session:
- Evaluation of neck movement and spinal alignment
- Screening for balance-related and vestibular (inner ear) issues
- Education on lifestyle triggers and prevention strategies
- Coordination with your doctor in Foley, MO to ensure cohesive care
Relief starts with awareness—your first visit lays the foundation for real, lasting improvement.
Is Physical Therapy a Cure for Migraines?
No—physical therapy isn’t a cure, but it can significantly reduce migraine frequency, intensity, and physical triggers.
By addressing physical contributors like balance issues or cervical spine dysfunction, we help you reduce future migraine episodes.
At Axes, we believe in collaborative care—we communicate with your physician or neurologist in Foley, MO to ensure safe and integrated treatment.
What Makes Axes the Right Choice for Migraine Relief in Foley, MO?
We help people in Foley, 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.
What you can expect when you choose Axes:
- One-on-one treatment with experienced, licensed professionals
- Several nearby offices so expert migraine care is always accessible
- No referral needed (Direct Access PT)
- Caring staff who take the time to understand and guide you
- Specialized knowledge in physical triggers like posture, neck tension, and balance
You’re not just another patient here. You’re our priority.
Start Your Journey to Migraine Relief in Foley, 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 Foley, MO
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.
Which PT techniques help with migraine symptoms?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but common treatments include balance retraining, dry needling, joint mobilization, and posture-focused exercises.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to start physical therapy for migraines?
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.
When will I feel better after starting migraine PT?
Improvement timelines vary, but many clients feel better within 2–4 weeks. Staying consistent with therapy and exercises is key to lasting results.
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.