Headaches can be exhausting, especially when they keep returning and nothing seems to provide lasting relief. If you’ve been relying on painkillers to get through the day, you may be wondering whether there’s a better solution. At The Green Clinic in Edgware, we take a different approach. Rather than simply treating the symptoms, we focus on identifying and addressing the underlying cause of your headaches so you can enjoy lasting relief.
Here’s what you can expect when you visit us for headache treatment, from your very first appointment through to recovery.
It Starts With a Thorough Assessment
Your first session at The Green Clinic is usually an hour long and begins with a comprehensive assessment. Your physiotherapist will take the time to understand your symptoms — how often your headaches occur, where you feel the pain, what makes them better or worse, and how they affect your daily life.
From there, we carry out a physical examination. This includes assessing your posture, checking how well your neck and upper back move, and feeling for areas of tightness or restriction in the muscles and joints. Many people are surprised to learn that the most common type of recurring headache — known as a cervicogenic headache — actually originates from the neck. We explore this connection further in our blog on neck pain and headaches.
This detailed assessment allows us to pinpoint the root cause and create a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.
A Treatment Plan Built Around You
At The Green Clinic, we recognise that every patient is different. Your headaches won’t have the same cause as someone else’s, so your treatment shouldn’t be the same either. Once we’ve completed your assessment, we’ll explain our findings clearly and outline a personalised plan designed to relieve your symptoms and prevent them from returning.
Depending on the findings, your treatment plan may include one or more of the following approaches.
The Treatments We Use
Manual therapy is often the starting point for headache treatment. Using skilled, hands-on techniques, your physiotherapist will mobilise stiff joints in the neck and release tight muscles in the surrounding area. This helps restore normal movement, reduce tension, and relieve the referred pain that travels into the head. Many patients feel a noticeable difference after their first session.
Acupuncture is another treatment we frequently use for headaches. Fine needles are placed at specific points to help reduce pain, ease muscle tension, and encourage the body’s natural healing response. It is particularly effective for tension-type headaches and works well alongside manual therapy for a more complete recovery.
For patients who need longer-term support, we often recommend Pilates. This form of controlled exercise strengthens the muscles that support your neck and spine, improves posture, and builds greater body awareness. By addressing the muscular imbalances that contribute to headaches, Pilates plays a key role in preventing them from coming back.
Where persistent muscle tightness is a factor, deep tissue massage may also be incorporated into your treatment. This targets the deeper layers of muscle tissue to reduce knots, improve blood flow, and release built-up tension in the neck and shoulders.
How Quickly Will I See Results?
Many patients notice an improvement from their very first appointment. The number of sessions you’ll need depends on the nature and severity of your headaches. During your initial consultation, your physiotherapist will discuss a realistic timeline and recommend how often you should attend for the best outcome.
Our goal is not just to relieve your pain in the short term, but to equip you with the tools to manage your condition going forward. That means we’ll also advise you on exercises, posture adjustments, and lifestyle changes that can help keep your headaches at bay. If you’re unsure whether your headaches need professional attention, our blog on how to know if a headache is serious may be a helpful read.
Why Choose The Green Clinic?
We’ve been helping patients across Edgware and the surrounding areas — including Stanmore, Mill Hill, and Harrow — for over 20 years. Our physiotherapists are fully registered with the CSP and HCPC, and we bring extensive experience in treating headaches, back and neck pain, chronic pain, and a wide range of other common problems.
We offer same-day appointments, free parking, and flexible hours including evenings and Sundays. If you’re unable to visit the clinic, we also provide home visits within a 10-mile radius. Everything we do is centred around getting you back to feeling your best.
Ready to Get Started?
If headaches have been affecting your quality of life, we’re here to help. Book an appointment today or call us on 020 8728 0625 to speak with our team. From your very first session, you’ll receive a clear diagnosis, effective treatment, and a plan to move forward without the burden of headaches.
