HD PHYSICAL THERAPY Recognizes June as National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month

WAKEFIELD, Mass. - June 16, 2015 - PRLog -- June is National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month. Over 37 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with migraines. Although 47% of the adult population experience headaches annually, these disorders are poorly recognized and inadequately treated. To try and help, this year’s theme is, “help make migraines visible!” Educating others, and ourselves, as well as building awareness about migraines are the best methods we have of making migraines visible.

There are a number of reasons to help make migraines visible. Two of the most significant of those reasons are:

Ridding ourselves of the myths and misconceptions about migraines and the resulting stigma. Studies have shown that the stigma associated with migraines increases the burden of living with the disease.
Making migraines more visible could result in more research funding which, in turn, would result in more and better treatments.

For those experiencing chronic migraine, treatment involves both lifestyle changes and medical approaches. They can include medications, antidepressants and complimentary and alternative diets and therapies.

So where does physical therapy fit into the management of migraine headaches? The answer depends on the individual headache sufferer, as there is a wide range of clinical presentations in patients with migraine headaches. Physical therapy primarily involves work on the muscles and joints in the peripheral system. This means how an individual migraine sufferer responds to physical therapy depends partly on the extent to which the muscles and joints are involved in their headaches. The goals of physical therapy treatment are generally to normalize the musculoskeletal system as much as possible in order to reduce stress and tension on the soft tissues and joints. At HD Physical Therapy, we work individually with our migraine patients on the best ways to utilize modalities such as ice and relaxation, stretches and exercise, and manual and massage techniques.

At HD Physical Therapy, ADVANCE Magazine's 2013 ‘Best PT Practice Contest’ silver medalist, we are committed to the health and happiness of our patients. Everyday we work to restore each person's maximal function with consistency and compassion. Offering distinctive, inventive and proven rehabilitation treatment, our devoted professionals strive to deliver a successful and enjoyable experience to every patient we meet. HDPT proudly serves the communities of Wakefield, Reading, North Reading, Wilmington, Lynnfield, Saugus, Melrose, Peabody, Stoneham, the North Shore, and Essex County, Massachusetts. For more information about HD Physical Therapy, please call 781-587-0776, or visit www.HDPTonline.com.