What should I expect in my first appointment?

Your first visit will be 55 minutes and includes a comprehensive assessment of your condition, medical history, and movement patterns. Your physiotherapist will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your goals.

Do you accept extended health insurance?

Yes! We offer direct billing for 25+ insurance providers including Pacific Blue Cross, Manulife, Sunlife, and more. Check our full list or contact us at info@ateasephysio.ca.

How do I book an appointment?

Book online through our Jane App booking system, call us at 604-923-8323, or visit us in person at Morgan Crossing.

Headache & Migraine Treatment Surrey

Headaches & Migraines

Targeted treatment to identify and address the root cause of your head pain

Book Appointment Call (604) 923-8323

Headache and migraine treatment with manual therapy at At Ease Physio in South Surrey

Best For

Tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, migraines, TMJ-related pain

Session

30-55 minutes

Typical Course

4-8 sessions

Coverage

Extended health benefits (physiotherapy)

What Is Headache & Migraine Treatment?

Headache and migraine treatment is a specialized physiotherapy approach that identifies and addresses the underlying causes of your head pain rather than simply masking symptoms with medication.

This treatment recognizes that headaches often originate from:

Musculoskeletal dysfunction
Postural imbalances
Nervous system sensitization

We address a wide spectrum of headache types including tension headaches, cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches, migraines, TMJ-related headaches, and post-concussion headaches. Each type requires a unique assessment and treatment strategy.

Treatment typically combines manual therapy techniques, postural correction, targeted therapeutic exercises, and lifestyle guidance. By addressing root causes, we aim to provide lasting relief and reduce your reliance on pain medication.

At At Ease Physio in South Surrey, our therapists have advanced training in headache assessment and treatment. We take time to understand your unique headache pattern, identify your triggers, and develop a personalized treatment plan.

For deeper insights into headache treatment, explore our articles on the dural layers of the central nervous system, polyvagal theory and manual therapy, and vestibular physiotherapy for headaches related to balance dysfunction.

How It Helps

Headache Frequency Reduction

Targeted interventions decrease how often you experience headaches

Pain Intensity Decrease

Treatment techniques reduce severity, making headaches more manageable

Trigger Identification

Systematic assessment pinpoints your specific triggers (postural, dietary, environmental, or stress-related)

Postural Correction

Addressing forward head posture and alignment issues eliminates a major source of chronic pain

Muscle Tension Release

Manual therapy relieves tight muscles in neck, shoulders, jaw, and upper back

Medication Dependence Reduction

Many patients need fewer pain medications as underlying causes are addressed

Conditions We Treat

Tension headaches — band-like pressure around the head, often related to muscle tension and poor posture Cervicogenic headaches — pain originating from cervical spine dysfunction, typically starting at the skull base Migraines — complex neurological events with throbbing pain, nausea, and light sensitivity TMJ-related headaches — stemming from temporomandibular joint dysfunction, often with jaw pain or clicking Post-concussion headaches — persistent headaches following head injury, may include dizziness and cognitive difficulties Cluster headaches — severe, one-sided headaches occurring in clusters over weeks or months Chronic daily headaches — headaches occurring 15+ days per month, requiring comprehensive multi-factor approach

What to Expect

Your First Visit

Detailed headache history covering location, intensity, duration, frequency, and triggers. Thorough physical examination of neck mobility, posture, muscle tension, and neurological function. You leave understanding why you get headaches and what we can do about it.

During Treatment

Manual therapy techniques including soft tissue release, joint mobilization, and trigger point therapy. Specific exercises for posture and strength, plus recommendations for work setup, sleep position, and daily habits. Additional techniques may include dry needling or craniosacral therapy.

After Treatment

Keep a headache diary to track frequency, intensity, and triggers. Most patients notice improvement within 4-6 sessions. Our goal is to equip you with tools and knowledge to manage headaches independently.

Who Is This For?

This treatment may be right for you if you:

Experience frequent headaches (weekly, several times per week, or daily)

Rely on medication for relief and want an alternative approach

Have neck-related headaches that start at the skull base or worsen with certain positions

Are recovering from a concussion with persistent headaches

Want to understand why your headaches happen and how to prevent them

Have tried other treatments without lasting success

Why Choose At Ease Physio?

Specialized Headache Assessment

Our therapists have advanced training in headache evaluation, identifying all contributing factors, not just the obvious ones.

Multi-Modal Treatment Approach

We draw from manual therapy, exercise, lifestyle modification, and stress management to address your specific needs.

Integration with Craniosacral and Vestibular Care

Many headache patients benefit from craniosacral therapy or vestibular rehabilitation. We offer these services under one roof.

Focus on Lasting Relief

We identify and address root causes for lasting improvement, not temporary fixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, physiotherapy can significantly help many migraine sufferers. While migraines have neurological components, musculoskeletal factors often contribute to frequency and intensity. Research shows manual therapy, particularly targeting the upper cervical spine, can reduce migraine frequency and medication use.

Most patients notice some improvement within four to six sessions, though this varies based on headache type, duration, and individual factors. Chronic headaches present for years typically require longer treatment. We establish realistic expectations during your initial assessment.

Headaches have many potential causes, and most people have multiple contributing factors: neck joint dysfunction, muscle tension, poor posture, jaw problems, stress, inadequate sleep, dehydration, and certain foods or environmental triggers. Our comprehensive assessment identifies your specific factors.

A physician referral is not required, but we recommend seeing your doctor if you experience sudden severe headaches, headaches with fever or stiff neck, headaches following head injury, or significant changes in your typical pattern. For typical tension headaches or migraines, you can begin physiotherapy directly.

Most extended health insurance plans cover physiotherapy, including treatment for headaches and migraines. Coverage amounts vary by plan. We provide detailed receipts for insurance submission, and direct billing is available for many plans.