Physical Therapy for Migraine Relief in Maryville, IL. 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 Maryville, IL 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.

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.

Article Summary: Physical Therapy Migraine Relief in Maryville, IL

• 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.
• Learn the difference between migraine types and how your symptoms may respond to physical therapy.
• Start your recovery today by scheduling an appointment at your nearest Axes location.

Understanding Migraine Types

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.

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

  The most common form of migraine. These episodes don’t include sensory warning signs and usually involve moderate to severe pain, often on one side of the head.

• 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)

  Neck-based headaches that resemble migraines but stem from spinal misalignment or tension in the cervical spine.

• Chronic Migraine

  If migraines are persistent throughout the month, they’re considered chronic and benefit from both medical and physical therapy care.

Understanding the type of migraine you’re dealing with can help your healthcare team—including your Maryville, IL physical therapist—develop a more effective plan of care.

The Maryville, IL physical therapists at Axes understand the various forms migraines can take and work closely with your doctor to ensure proper care.

How Physical Therapy in Maryville, IL Helps Ease Migraines

Physical therapy addresses the underlying physical causes of migraines—like neck tension, posture issues, and balance dysfunction—to reduce symptoms naturally and prevent future episodes.

While migraines may originate in the brain, physical contributors like muscle tightness, posture issues, and balance dysfunction often play a major role. Working with a physical therapist gives you a path to relief without relying solely on medication.

Here’s how physical therapy helps relieve migraines:

• Releases neck and shoulder tension that contributes to head pain
• Addresses postural issues and muscle imbalances that contribute to migraines
• Targets neck-related headaches that mimic migraine symptoms
• Improves vestibular function for those with dizziness or vertigo
• Promotes lasting relief through patient education and targeted movement strategies

Migraine Therapy Methods We Use in Maryville, IL

At Axes, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all plans. Your care will be tailored to your specific symptoms, triggers, and goals.

Depending on your evaluation and diagnosis, your Maryville, IL 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 – Strength-building exercises that stabilize the upper spine and prevent tension buildup.
• Stretching & Mobility Work – Flexibility exercises that open up restricted areas and reduce chronic tightness.
• TENS or Heat/Cold Therapy – Pain-relieving modalities that calm irritated nerves and ease muscle tightness.
• 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.

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

At your first visit, here’s what we’ll typically cover:

• Postural and neck mobility assessment
• Screening for balance-related and vestibular (inner ear) issues
• Education on lifestyle triggers and prevention strategies
• Collaborative care planning with your Maryville, IL physician (if needed)

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

Does Physical Therapy Cure Migraines?

Physical therapy doesn’t “cure” migraines, but it helps manage the physical causes behind them for long-term relief.

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 Maryville, IL to ensure safe and integrated treatment.

What Makes Axes the Right Choice for Migraine Relief in Maryville, IL?

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

Every session—from day one to discharge—is focused on your healing, comfort, and results.

What you can expect when you choose Axes:

• Personalized, hands-on care with licensed physical therapists
• Several nearby offices so expert migraine care is always accessible
• No referral required in Missouri—learn more about Direct Access PT
• 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.

Ready for Migraine Relief? Let’s Get Started in Maryville, IL

Reclaim your energy, clarity, and comfort with migraine treatment at Axes Physical Therapy.

Call the clinic nearest you or schedule an appointment online today. Let us help you reduce your symptoms and get back to feeling like yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions About Migraine Relief and Physical Therapy in Maryville, IL

Can physical therapy really help with 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?

Vestibular therapy, manual therapy, postural training, and dry needling are all commonly used to treat migraine symptoms. Your treatment plan will depend on your specific symptoms, triggers, and health history.

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?

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 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.