Réhabital
Headache Treatment in Côte Saint-Luc
Headaches are among the most common reasons people seek care, but not all headaches look alike or share the same origin. A band-like pressure around the skull, pain starting at the back of the neck, or pulsating episodes with nausea call for different approaches. Treating a headache without understanding its mechanism often leads to temporary fixes that never address the real cause. At Réhabital in Côte Saint-Luc, we distinguish tension-type, cervicogenic and migraine headaches through a structured exam, then direct treatment toward osteopathy, physiotherapy or acupuncture based on the profile identified.
Book an AppointmentUnderstanding This Condition
Tension-type headache, the most common form, produces a bilateral pressing or tightening sensation, often described as a band around the head, without marked nausea or extreme light sensitivity. It is closely tied to muscle tension in the neck, shoulders and jaw, and typically worsens later in the day or during prolonged stress. Cervicogenic headache originates in neck structures — upper facet joints, suboccipital muscles — and presents as pain that starts at the base of the skull or in the neck before spreading toward the forehead or temple, often one-sided, and reproduced or worsened by certain neck movements or positions. Migraine, by contrast, is a distinct neurological disorder: pulsating pain, often one-sided, moderate to severe, accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, sometimes preceded by a visual aura, and worsened by physical activity. Some patients present a mixed picture, with a cervical component that triggers or aggravates underlying migraine attacks. A clinical exam assessing neck mobility, tenderness of the suboccipital muscles, presence of trigger points and precise pain characteristics helps tell these presentations apart and guide relevant treatment, without replacing the medical evaluation needed for diagnosed migraine or red-flag symptoms.
Common Symptoms
Common Causes
Chronic muscle tension in the neck and shoulders
Prolonged stress, a static work posture, or jaw clenching increase tone in the trapezius, suboccipital and temporal muscles, generating the band-like pain typical of tension-type headache.
Upper cervical joint dysfunction
Restricted mobility between the top two cervical vertebrae irritates nerve structures that share a pathway with the trigeminal nerve, causing pain referred to the forehead or eye.
Migraine
A distinct neurovascular disorder, often genetic in origin, producing severe pulsating attacks with nausea and sensory sensitivity, sometimes triggered by stress, poor sleep or certain foods.
Prolonged screen posture
A head pushed forward during screen work overloads the upper neck muscles, sustaining both muscle tension and joint irritation that feed recurrent headaches.
Eye strain or jaw dysfunction
Inadequate vision correction or jaw dysfunction can generate tension referred to the temples and forehead, contributing to recurrent headaches often mistaken for a purely cervical origin.
Our Treatment Approach
Our assessment starts with a detailed history of pain characteristics (location, quality, triggers, associated symptoms) to distinguish a tension, cervicogenic or migraine component, complemented by upper cervical mobility testing, palpation of the suboccipital and temporal muscles, and a search for trigger points. Osteopathy, with Shahram Ghasemi, targets upper cervical and thoracic joint restrictions, fascial tension in the skull and jaw, and diaphragm mobility that indirectly influences overall tension. Physiotherapy, with Colin Teghen Tamuton, adds manual therapy specific to the upper cervical segments, deep neck flexor strengthening, and ergonomic advice. Acupuncture can reduce the frequency and intensity of episodes, particularly for tension-type headaches and certain migraine profiles. Massage therapy releases tension in the trapezius, temporalis and jaw muscles that often sustains the vicious cycle of pain. When a migraine pattern is identified or suspected, we recommend complementary medical evaluation for pharmacological management if needed.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
The first visit lasts about 60 minutes and includes a detailed history of your headache characteristics and triggers, a neck mobility exam and targeted muscle palpation. You leave with a clear explanation of the headache type identified and an initial treatment plan.
At-Home Self-Care Tips
- Keep a headache journal noting triggers and intensity.
- Adjust screen height to avoid a forward head posture.
- Take a gentle neck mobility break every 45 minutes.
- Maintain adequate hydration throughout the day.
- Apply heat to the neck when muscle tension is present.
- Prioritize regular, sufficient sleep.
Prognosis & Recovery Timeline
Tension-type and cervicogenic headaches generally respond well within 4 to 8 weeks of manual treatment combined with postural adjustments. Migraine requires longer-term, often multidisciplinary management, but adjunct cervical treatment can reduce attack frequency in patients with an associated cervical component.
When to See Us at Réhabital
Come in if your headaches occur more than twice a week, resist usual measures, or are accompanied by marked neck tension. Seek immediate medical care for a sudden, unusually severe headache, fever, vision changes, weakness on one side of the body, or a headache following a head injury.
Why Réhabital Clinic
In Côte Saint-Luc, our team distinguishes the different types of headache before treating, combining osteopathy, physiotherapy and acupuncture to address the underlying muscular and joint causes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Address
D4-5800 Cavendish Blvd
Côte Saint-Luc, QC H4W 2T5
Phone
(438) 842-3550Hours
Mon–Fri: 10AM–8PM
Sun: 10AM–4PM
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