Physiotherapy for Headaches and Migraines in Vancouver

Headaches and migraines affect nearly 1 in 6 Canadians, and for many, they’re more than just an inconvenience—they’re a recurring disruption to work, sleep, and everyday life. At Collingwood Physiotherapy, we take a targeted, evidence-based approach to headache relief by identifying and treating the root causes of your pain—not just the symptoms.

Whether you’re dealing with tension-type headaches, cervicogenic headaches (originating from the neck), or migraines triggered by posture, stress, or neurological imbalances, our physiotherapists are trained to assess and treat the contributing physical and lifestyle factors. Through manual therapy, posture correction, movement retraining, and relaxation techniques, we help reduce headache frequency, duration, and intensity—often within just a few sessions.

While over-the-counter medication may offer temporary relief, it rarely solves the underlying problem. Many headache sufferers spend months or even years chasing short-term fixes without realizing that the source of their pain may lie in muscular tension, joint stiffness, or poor posture.

You should consider physiotherapy for headaches or migraines if you experience:

• Frequent tension headaches that start at the base of your skull or radiate to your temples
  
• Neck pain or stiffness that precedes or accompanies headaches
  
• Jaw clenching or grinding that leads to pain behind the eyes or around the cheeks
  
• Headaches triggered by stress, long hours at a computer, or poor sleep
  
• Migraines with aura, nausea, or light sensitivity that disrupt your routine
  
• Head pain that worsens with movement, sitting, or prolonged posture
  

At Collingwood Physiotherapy, we specialize in treating headaches linked to physical dysfunction—especially common in office workers, students, and active individuals. Early intervention not only brings faster relief but can also prevent progression to chronic daily headaches.

Unlike general pain management strategies, physiotherapy addresses the mechanical and neurological causes of your headaches. Many headaches are the result of muscle tightness, joint dysfunction, nerve irritation, or poor ergonomics—all of which are treatable through skilled hands-on care and movement therapy.  

What to Expect During Recovery

• Sessions 1–2: Initial assessment, manual therapy for pain relief, identification of lifestyle triggers
• Sessions 3–4: Noticeable reduction in headache frequency and intensity
• Sessions 5–6: Improved posture, better neck mobility, reduced reliance on medication
• Sessions 7–8: Long-term strategies for stress, sleep, and symptom self-management
  

Most patients feel relief within the first few treatments, with many experiencing 50–75% improvement in symptoms by week 3. Regular reassessments ensure your progress is measured, and treatment is adjusted based on your specific response.

Our team of physiotherapists has extensive training in headache management and cervical spine rehabilitation. We don’t just treat the pain—we treat the person.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Experience in treating Cervicogenic and Postural Headaches
• Integrated approach: Manual therapy, exercise, posture, and lifestyle guidance
• Convenient scheduling with early morning, evening, and weekend appointments
• Evidence-based methods proven to reduce headache recurrence
  

Whether your goal is to stop relying on medication, reduce time off work, or just wake up without a pounding head—we’re here to help you take back control.