New Hope for Those Suffering from Chronic Headaches

Do you suffer from chronic headaches? You are not alone. An estimated 40 and 50 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches. Roughly 15 percent of the U.S. population suffers from debilitating migraine headaches, which are one of the most common medical conditions in the Western world. The American Council for Headache Education (ACHE) estimates that 95 percent of women and 90 percent of men in the U.S. and Canada have had at least one headache in the past 12 months. In addition, 5.4 percent of workplaces experience lost productivity each week due to employees suffering from headaches.

The vast majority of headaches are benign and self-limiting and are typically broken down into three major categories: migraines, tension headaches and cluster headaches.

Symptoms of headaches may include, but are not limited to: Migraines (all types), oral facial pain, neck pain, tooth pain, ear fullness/pain, sinus pressure/pain, sinusitis, visual disturbances, eye dryness and tearing, dizziness, vomiting and nausea. 

Traditionally, the treatment of headaches starts with a medical diagnostic workup to rule out disease.  When all tests are negative, treatment typically consists of medication and lifestyle management.

Good Shepherd has developed a Headache Program [2] that offers hope to those who have been unresponsive to traditional headache care.  We work closely with your medical provider to offer evidence-based therapy that is effective in 80 percent of cases. 

Our physical therapy treatment program begins with a detailed history and examination through which we will determine if your headache symptoms can be reduced or abolished. Most patients will experience a 50 percent reduction in symptoms within 1 to 3 sessions. The treatment techniques are non-invasive and include simple re-positioning and repetitive movements of the neck and head. 

Of utmost importance is effective education about changes patients need to make to their activities of daily living, including modifications to their sleeping, reading and working postures. Good Shepherd’s Headache Program empowers patients to take control of their headaches by showing them what they can do for themselves to prevent them. 

More than 25 physical therapists at 15 of our outpatient sites [3] have been trained in these specialized techniques that provide a non-invasive, effective treatment option for those who are suffering from chronic headaches.

In addition to providing relief for common migraine sufferers, Good Shepherd’s Headache Program has been integrated with our post-concussive treatment program [4] to achieve impressive results.  Patients with this type of headache have seen symptoms significantly reduced or abolished through the Headache Program. Physical therapy, vision, vestibular and cognitive services have been seamlessly integrated and are available to post-concussive patients and all headache sufferers. 

Patients can be referred to our Headache Program by their family doctor or specialist.  If you don't have doctor, you can schedule an appointment with a Good Shepherd physician, who will medically evaluate your condition to see if you are a candidate for our program. Interested patients can call our Headache Program directly at 610-419-2130 to schedule an appointment. 

Read a Success Story:
Headache Program Helps Thelma Hammel Find Relief [5]