Physical Therapy for Migraine Relief in Preston Woods, 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.
You’re not alone if migraines are interfering with your life—and you don’t have to suffer in silence. 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 Preston Woods, 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 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.
Don’t let migraines dictate your daily routine—Axes is here to help. With multiple convenient locations across the St. Louis Metro Area, expert care is always within reach.
Article Summary: Physical Therapy Migraine Relief in Preston Woods, MO
- Migraine relief through physical therapy is possible by addressing musculoskeletal and vestibular dysfunction.
- Therapies often used include massage, needling, vestibular retraining, posture adjustment, and flexibility work.
- PT is commonly used to treat cervicogenic and vestibular migraine symptoms.
- While physical therapy won’t eliminate migraines, it can reduce symptoms and work alongside your medical treatment.
- Understand which kind of migraine you may have and how PT can help.
- 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.
While migraines are commonly associated with throbbing head pain, they can present in a variety of ways depending on the person and the trigger.
Here are some of the most common types:
- 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
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
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 Preston Woods, 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 Preston Woods, MO Physical Therapy Help with Migraine Relief?
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.
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
- Targets neck-related headaches that mimic migraine symptoms
- Supports balance and reduces vertigo symptoms often tied to vestibular migraines
- Promotes lasting relief through patient education and targeted movement strategies
How We Treat Migraine Symptoms in Preston Woods, 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 Preston Woods, MO physical therapist finds during your evaluation:
- Manual Therapy – Hands-on techniques like massage, joint mobilization, and cervical traction to reduce stiffness and tension in the neck and shoulders.
- 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 – 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 – Ongoing exercises designed to support your therapy goals outside the clinic.
Physical therapy works best when it’s consistent and customized. That’s what you get at Axes.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
We begin with a comprehensive physical evaluation to uncover the musculoskeletal or vestibular issues behind your migraines.
Your therapist will listen closely to your history and symptoms to create a personalized care plan.
During your initial appointment, you can expect:
- 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
- Collaborative care planning with your Preston Woods, MO physician (if needed)
Relief starts with awareness—your first visit lays the foundation for real, lasting improvement.
Does Physical Therapy Cure 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.
To support your overall health, we partner with your care team in Preston Woods, MO and integrate physical therapy into your existing migraine management plan.
Why Choose Axes for Migraine Relief in Preston Woods, MO?
At Axes, we empower people in Preston Woods, MO to manage migraines with skilled physical therapy and supportive care.
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
- Multiple locations throughout the Greater St. Louis area
- No referral needed (Direct Access PT)
- Caring staff who take the time to understand and guide you
- 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 Preston Woods, MO
Reclaim your energy, clarity, and comfort with migraine treatment at Axes Physical Therapy.
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.
Preston Woods, MO Physical Therapy for Migraines – Your Questions Answered
Can physical therapy really help with 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 treatments do physical therapists use 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.
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?
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.
How are cervicogenic headaches different from 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.