Head pain can come from a variety of sources — including the neck, jaw, and nervous system — and it often adaches”, written for SEO and readability.presents as tension, pressure, throbbing, or sharp discomfort. Physiotherapists are trained to assess whether your headaches are musculoskeletal in origin and provide strategies to reduce their frequency and intensity.

🤔 What Are They?

Headaches are one of the most common forms of head pain. They can range from a dull ache across the forehead to sharp pain behind the eyes or base of the skull. Some are related to muscle tension or poor posture, others are linked to joint stiffness in the neck or jaw.

💡 Common Physiotherapy-Related Causes:

• Cervicogenic Headaches – Pain referred from the upper neck joints

• Tension-Type Headaches – Often caused by neck, shoulder, or jaw muscle tension

• TMJ-Related Headaches – From clenching, grinding, or jaw dysfunction

• Postural Headaches – Prolonged time at a desk or in one position

• Headaches from Stress & Fatigue – Related to muscular overload or poor breathing mechanics

🛠️ What You Can Do:

• ✅ Improve posture at your desk or workstation – try sitting tall with shoulders relaxed

• ✅ Apply heat to the neck or base of skull to release muscle tension

• ✅ Gentle neck stretches – e.g., chin tucks, side bends, shoulder rolls

• ✅ Stay hydrated and avoid skipping meals

• ✅ Reduce screen time or take breaks every 30–45 minutes

👩‍⚕️ How Physio Can Help:

• Manual therapy to release tight neck and jaw muscles

• Myofascial scraping of ligaments, muscles and fascia to relieve tension

• Dry needling or trigger point release for upper traps, SCM, suboccipitals

• Postural correction and ergonomic education

• TMJ mobilisation and exercises

• Headache-specific rehab plan to reduce recurrence

🙋‍♀️ Answers to Common Questions

1. What kind of headaches can a physiotherapist help with?
Physios can assist with cervicogenic headaches, tension-type headaches, and headaches related to posture, jaw dysfunction (TMJ), or neck stiffness. If your headache is linked to muscle tension, joint restriction, or stress, physio can likely help reduce symptoms and prevent recurrence.

2. How do I know if my headache is coming from my neck?
If your headache starts at the base of your skull or neck and travels upward, or if it's triggered by head movement or poor posture, it may be cervicogenic. You might also notice stiffness or discomfort in your neck at the same time.

3. Can poor posture really cause headaches?
Yes. Slouching or holding your head forward (like when using a computer or phone) increases strain on neck muscles and joints, which can refer pain into the head. Improving posture often reduces headache frequency and intensity.

4. Why do I wake up with headaches in the morning?
Common reasons include jaw clenching or teeth grinding during sleep, poor pillow support, or sleeping in awkward positions. Addressing these with jaw relaxation strategies, sleep position advice, and physio treatment can help.

5. What exercises help with tension headaches?
Gentle chin tucks, neck rotations, shoulder rolls, and deep breathing exercises can relieve muscle tension. Your physio can provide a tailored program based on what’s causing your headaches.

6. When should I see a physio about my headaches?
If your headaches are recurrent, affect your daily life, or seem connected to neck or jaw tension, seeing a physio is a great first step. We can assess what’s contributing and help you take practical steps to relieve and manage them.

🤔 What Is TMJ Dysfunction?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint — the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull, located just in front of your ears. TMJ dysfunction occurs when this joint becomes irritated, inflamed, or imbalanced, often causing jaw pain, headaches, ear discomfort, clicking, or difficulty chewing.

This condition can develop gradually from poor posture, stress-related clenching, or grinding (bruxism), or suddenly due to trauma, dental work, or neck tension.

💡 Common Physiotherapy-Related Causes:

• Neck stiffness and poor posture increasing jaw load

• Teeth grinding or clenching (often stress-related)

• Muscle tightness in the jaw, face, or neck (e.g., masseter, temporalis)

• Asymmetrical chewing patterns or jaw alignment issues

• Whiplash injuries or facial trauma

🛠️ What You Can Do:

• ✅ Apply warm compresses to tight jaw or neck muscles

• ✅ Avoid chewing gum or hard/chewy foods during flare-ups

• ✅ Practice gentle jaw movement exercises (e.g., controlled opening and side-to-side glides)

• ✅ Check your posture while sitting or driving – slouched positions increase jaw tension

• ✅ Manage stress levels – jaw clenching often happens subconsciously under stress

👩‍⚕️ How Physio Can Help:

• Manual therapy to release jaw, neck, and facial muscle tightness

• TMJ mobilisation techniques to restore joint movement

• Dry needling for overactive muscles (masseter, temporalis, upper traps)

• Breathing retraining & stress reduction strategies

• Education on correct jaw use and posture awareness

• Tailored home program to improve mobility, strength & relaxation

🙋‍♀️ Answers to Common Questions

1. Why does my jaw click or pop when I open my mouth?
This usually happens when the TMJ disc is slightly displaced. While not always painful, clicking can become a problem if it's accompanied by locking, pain, or reduced movement. Physio can help realign the joint and release the surrounding muscle tension to reduce clicking.

2. Can a physio actually help with jaw pain?
Yes! TMJ dysfunction often stems from or is worsened by neck and facial muscle tension, poor posture, and jaw biomechanics — all of which physios are trained to assess and treat.

3. Is jaw pain causing my headaches or ear pressure?
Possibly. The TMJ shares nerves and muscle systems with your head, ears, and neck, so dysfunction can refer pain to the temples, side of the head, ears, or even behind the eyes. Treating the jaw can ease related symptoms.

4. Should I see a dentist or a physio first?
If you’ve had recent dental work or suspect your bite is involved, a collaborative approach is best. But if you have tight muscles, posture-related issues, or grinding habits, physio is a great first step — and we can refer you on if needed.

5. What exercises can I do for TMJ pain?
Gentle controlled opening and side glides, chin tucks, tongue-to-palate breathing, and postural drills are helpful — but a tailored plan works best.

🤔 What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly and forcefully thrown backward and then forward — commonly from a car accident, but also from falls, sports, or work incidents. This rapid movement strains the muscles, ligaments, joints, and nerves of the neck and upper back.

Symptoms can appear immediately or develop over hours or days, and may include neck pain, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, jaw discomfort, or difficulty concentrating.

💡 Common Physiotherapy-Related Causes:

• Soft tissue strain from sudden acceleration-deceleration

• Joint stiffness in the cervical spine (C0–C7)

• Muscle spasm or guarding, especially in upper traps, SCM, and deep neck flexors

• Nerve irritation contributing to referred pain or tingling

• Postural compensation following the injury (holding the head rigidly or avoiding movement)

🛠️ What You Can Do:

• ✅ Apply cold packs for the first 48–72 hours to reduce inflammation

• ✅ After 3 days, use heat and gentle movement to promote recovery

• ✅ Avoid complete rest — gentle mobility is important

• ✅ Start neck range of motion exercises (look side to side, up/down slowly)

• ✅ Focus on relaxed breathing to reduce tension and support healing

👩‍⚕️ How Physio Can Help:

• Comprehensive assessment of neck mobility, muscle function & nerve involvement

• Manual therapy and joint mobilisation to restore movement

• Dry needling or massage to reduce muscle tightness

• Individualised neck strengthening program to rebuild confidence and stability

• Education & pacing strategies to avoid flare-ups while staying active

• Return-to-work or return-to-sport plans with graded exposure

🙋‍♀️ Answers to Common Questions

1. How long does whiplash last?
Mild cases resolve within a few weeks, but some people experience symptoms for months if not managed properly. Early physio treatment can reduce the risk of developing chronic pain or movement avoidance patterns.

2. Why do I feel dizzy or nauseous after whiplash?
Whiplash can irritate structures that affect balance and coordination, like the upper cervical spine and vestibular system. Physiotherapists can assess this and include gentle retraining exercises to help.

3. Can whiplash cause headaches?
Absolutely. These are often cervicogenic headaches — pain referred from irritated neck joints or muscles. Treating the neck can significantly reduce headache frequency and severity.

4. Is it safe to move my neck after a whiplash injury?
Yes — gentle movement is encouraged after the initial rest period. It helps maintain mobility, prevent stiffness, and reduce fear. Your physio will guide you through the right movements at the right time.

5. I had a crash months ago and my neck still hurts — is that whiplash?
It could be. In some cases, people develop chronic whiplash-associated disorders. Physio can still help by retraining movement patterns, building strength, and calming the nervous system.

🤔 What Is Postural Strain?

Postural strain occurs when your muscles and joints are under prolonged stress due to holding your body in one position for too long — usually in poor alignment. This is especially common in people who work at a desk, use their phone frequently, or spend long periods sitting, slouching, or standing poorly.

Over time, this can lead to tightness in the neck, shoulders, and upper back, and often contributes to headaches, jaw tension, and fatigue.

💡 Common Physiotherapy-Related Causes:

• Forward head posture (“tech neck”)

• Rounded shoulders and slumped sitting

• Extended periods of inactivity (e.g., office work, driving, gaming)

• Muscle imbalances — overactive neck/shoulder muscles and weak postural stabilisers

• Unergonomic workspaces or poor sitting habits

🛠️ What You Can Do:

• ✅ Set a reminder to move every 30–45 minutes at your desk

• ✅ Adjust your workstation: monitor at eye level, elbows at 90°, feet flat

• ✅ Practice postural reset drills (e.g., chin tuck, wall angels, shoulder rolls)

• ✅ Avoid prolonged slouching while driving, scrolling or lounging

• ✅ Try switching between sitting and standing during the day if possible

👩‍⚕️ How Physio Can Help:

• Postural assessment and movement analysis

• Education on ergonomics and sitting/standing posture

• Hands-on treatment for tight muscles and stiff joints

• Prescribed exercises to strengthen deep neck flexors, scapular stabilisers, and core

• Breathing and rib mobility training (often overlooked!)

🙋‍♀️ Answers to Common Questions

1. How do I know if my pain is from poor posture?
If your discomfort builds gradually over the day — especially in your neck, upper back, or around your shoulder blades — and eases when you change position, it’s likely postural. Headaches, eye strain, and jaw tightness can also stem from bad posture.

2. Can posture really cause headaches?
Yes. Poor posture often leads to muscle tension and joint compression in the upper neck, which can refer pain into the head — known as cervicogenic headaches. Fixing your posture can reduce their frequency and severity.

3. What’s the best posture for sitting at a desk?
Sit with feet flat, hips slightly higher than knees, elbows bent at 90°, and your monitor at eye level. Most importantly: change positions often — no posture is perfect if held for too long.

4. Will strengthening my core help with posture?
Absolutely. A strong core supports your spine and reduces reliance on smaller muscles that often become overworked (like your neck or traps). We often include core and postural stabiliser exercises in physio rehab plans.

5. How long does it take to fix postural strain?
Improvements can be felt in just a few sessions with the right education and treatment. Lasting change takes a few weeks of consistent movement and strengthening, especially if your habits are deeply ingrained.

🤔 What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by a blow or jolt to the head or body that results in a sudden movement of the brain within the skull. This can lead to a variety of symptoms affecting thinking, balance, vision, mood, and physical performance.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to lose consciousness to have a concussion. Symptoms can appear immediately or take hours to develop — and recovery can vary from days to weeks.

💡 Common Physiotherapy-Related Symptoms:

• Headache or pressure in the head

• Dizziness or balance issues

• Neck pain or stiffness (from whiplash-like forces)

• Sensitivity to light, noise, or screens

• Fatigue, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating

• Visual tracking issues or poor eye coordination

• Irritability, anxiety, or sleep changes

🛠️ What You Can Do:

• ✅ Rest in the first 24–48 hours, then gradually reintroduce gentle activity

• ✅ Avoid screen time, loud environments, and strenuous exercise early on

• ✅ Stay hydrated and prioritise good sleep hygiene

• ✅ Begin guided movement and rehab under professional supervision

• ✅ Avoid rushing back to sport, work, or study until you’re properly cleared

👩‍⚕️ How Physio Can Help:

• Assess and treat neck stiffness or whiplash-related symptoms

• Guide you through graded return-to-activity programs (physical & cognitive)

• Treat vestibular (balance) and oculomotor (eye tracking) issues

• Help manage post-concussion syndrome if symptoms linger beyond normal timelines

• Liaise with GPs or specialists if further investigation is needed

• Educate on pacing strategies to avoid setbacks

🙋‍♀️ Answers to Common Questions

1. How do I know if I’ve had a concussion?
Common signs include headache, dizziness, confusion, trouble focusing, or balance issues after a hit to the head or sudden jolt. If symptoms appeared after a fall, car accident, sporting collision, or even whiplash, a concussion is possible — even without loss of consciousness.

2. Do I need to rest completely after a concussion?
Only in the first 24–48 hours. After that, prolonged rest can actually delay recovery. The best approach is a guided return to light movement, avoiding screen time or mentally demanding tasks until your symptoms improve.

3. Can physios really help with concussion recovery?
Yes — especially if you're experiencing ongoing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, visual issues, neck stiffness, or balance problems. Physiotherapists trained in concussion rehab can provide structured, progressive treatment.

4. What’s post-concussion syndrome?
This refers to concussion symptoms that last longer than expected — usually past 2–3 weeks. You might feel ongoing fatigue, brain fog, light sensitivity, or emotional changes. The good news: it’s treatable, and physio can help with both physical and cognitive recovery.

5. When is it safe to return to sport or training?
You should only return once you're symptom-free at rest and during exertion, and you’ve passed through a graded return-to-play protocol. A physio can guide you through this safely to reduce the risk of reinjury.