Physical Therapy for Migraine Relief in Maplewood, 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.” Whether they come on suddenly or linger for days, migraines can disrupt your work, your sleep, and your ability to enjoy the things you love.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we help people in Maplewood, MO area relieve migraine pain by targeting physical sources such as neck stiffness, jaw alignment, and vestibular dysfunction. Our licensed St. Louis physical therapists offer a hands-on, personalized approach to help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines, so you can get back to feeling like yourself again.

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.

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

• By focusing on posture, muscle tightness, and balance issues, physical therapy can reduce how often migraines occur and how severe they are.
• Treatments may involve hands-on therapy, dry needling, vestibular rehab, posture work, and mobility exercises.
• Migraines related to neck dysfunction or balance problems respond well to physical therapy.
• It’s not a cure, but physical therapy offers long-term relief and integrates well with other forms of migraine management.
• Explore migraine classifications and how physical therapy may address each.
• Take the first step toward migraine relief by connecting with your local Axes team.

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.

Here are some of the most common 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

  These migraines involve problems with balance, motion sensitivity, or spinning sensations—and they may not always include head pain.

• Cervicogenic Headache (Migraine-Like)

  Caused by neck or upper spine dysfunction, cervicogenic headaches can mimic migraines and are often treated successfully with physical therapy.

• 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 Maplewood, MO physical therapists at Axes understand the various forms migraines can take and work closely with your doctor to ensure proper care.

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

By targeting physical triggers such as neck stiffness, poor alignment, and vestibular imbalance, physical therapy helps reduce migraine frequency and intensity.

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. Physical therapy offers a hands-on, drug-free way to reduce those triggers and support long-term relief.

Physical therapy provides the following benefits for migraine management:

• Relieves tightness in the upper body that can trigger or worsen headaches
• Improves spinal alignment and muscle symmetry to reduce physical stress
• Helps relieve cervicogenic headaches caused by cervical spine dysfunction
• 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 Maplewood, 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 Maplewood, 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 – A targeted technique using thin needles to release tight muscles that may be contributing to migraine pain.
• Vestibular Therapy – Therapy that improves inner ear function and stability to address disorientation and motion sensitivity.
• Postural Training – Training focused on optimizing how you sit, stand, and move to support healthy alignment.
• Targeted Strengthening – Exercises to build resilience in the neck, shoulders, and upper back.
• Stretching & Mobility Work – Movements designed to improve range of motion and relieve pressure in tension-prone areas.
• 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.

At Axes, we believe individualized, ongoing care is the foundation of long-term migraine improvement.

Your First Physical Therapy Visit for Migraines

We begin with a comprehensive physical evaluation to uncover the musculoskeletal or vestibular issues behind your migraines.

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:

• Evaluation of neck movement and spinal alignment
• Screening for balance-related and vestibular (inner ear) issues
• Support and education on what may be contributing to your symptoms
• Collaborative care planning with your Maplewood, MO physician (if needed)

This is the first step toward long-term relief—and it starts with understanding how your body moves and responds to stress.

Is Physical Therapy a Cure for Migraines?

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

By addressing physical contributors like balance issues or cervical spine dysfunction, we help you reduce future migraine episodes.

To support your overall health, we partner with your care team in Maplewood, MO and integrate physical therapy into your existing migraine management plan.

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

Axes Physical Therapy provides migraine relief for Maplewood, MO residents through personalized, compassionate treatment.

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

What you can expect when you choose Axes:

• Custom care plans delivered by highly trained physical therapists
• 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
• Years of experience treating migraine types linked to spinal and vestibular dysfunction

You’re not just another patient here. You’re our priority.

Ready for Migraine Relief? Let’s Get Started in Maplewood, 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. Our team is ready to help you find long-term migraine relief—starting today.

Maplewood, MO Physical Therapy for Migraines – Your Questions Answered

Is physical therapy effective for treating migraines?

Yes. Physical therapy can help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines by targeting physical contributors like neck tension, poor posture, and vestibular issues. It’s especially helpful for people with cervicogenic or vestibular migraines.

What kind of physical therapy is best for migraines?

Treatment options often include manual therapy, dry needling, posture correction, and vestibular rehabilitation. Your physical therapist will personalize your care based on your condition.

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 quickly does physical therapy help with migraines?

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?

Cervicogenic headaches come from issues in the neck, while migraines are neurologically based—but both can be treated effectively with physical therapy.