Expert Headache
Treatment in
Knoxville
Top Rated Headache Specialist in Knoxville TN
We are thrilled to announce that Simply Physio has officially acquired Focus Physiotherapy, combining our strengths to provide even better care for our community.
At Simply Physio, we are proud to offer specialized care for headaches provided by our highly trained and experienced team. Our headache specialists focus on identifying and treating the root causes of headaches, including tension, migraines, and postural imbalances. Through a compassionate approach, we utilize advanced manual therapy techniques, personalized exercises, and education to help patients achieve lasting relief and regain control of their lives. Whether you’re managing chronic headaches or seeking effective prevention strategies, our team is here to deliver expert care tailored to your unique needs.
Our Headache Speciality Program
Led by Stephen Karp
At Simply Physio, we’re committed to helping you find relief from headaches so you can get back to living your life. Our Headache Specialty Program, led by Stephen Karp, PT, MPT, Cert. MDT, focuses on identifying and treating the root causes of headaches, including tension, migraines, cervicogenic headaches, and postural imbalances.
At Simply Physio, we’re committed to helping you find relief from headaches so you can get back to living your life. Our Headache Specialty Program, led by Stephen Karp, PT, MPT, Cert. MDT, focuses on identifying and treating the root causes of headaches, including tension, migraines, cervicogenic headaches, and postural imbalances.
Meet Stephen Karp Our Head Headache Specialist:
A Knoxvillian with over 20 years of experience in physical therapy, Stephen Karp is recognized as the leading provider in the greater Knoxville area for migraines and tension headaches. He earned a Bachelor’s in Exercise Physiology from the University of Tennessee and a Master’s in Physical Therapy from East Tennessee State University in 2004. In 2015, he achieved McKenzie Certification (Cert. MDT), a globally recognized credential in advanced manual therapy. Stephen’s career includes over a decade at Covenant Health, where he served as a manager at Fort Sanders Regional Hospital, and most recently, several years specializing in neck pain and headaches at Focus Physiotherapy.
Stephen’s compassionate approach and expertise in manual therapy and personalized care ensure patients receive effective, long-lasting relief.
How Can Physical Therapy Help My Headaches?
Physical therapy is a proven way to treat tension headaches. Here’s how it helps:
Improving Posture: Poor posture often causes tension headaches. Physical therapists guide patients through exercises and stretches to relieve muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders.
Building Strength: Weak neck and shoulder muscles can contribute to headaches. Therapists strengthen these muscles with exercises like shoulder shrugs and neck stretches to reduce headache frequency and intensity.
Manual Therapy: Techniques like massage, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release directly relieve muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders, easing headaches.
Patient Education: Therapists teach patients how to maintain good posture, stretch effectively, strengthen key muscles, and manage stress to better control their headaches.
These strategies work together to reduce headaches and improve overall well-being.
Discover Success Stories of Headache Relief!
Hear how others have found lasting relief from headaches through expert care and personalized treatment. Their success could be yours too!
Common Causes of Headaches
Headaches can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, tension, poor posture, and muscle weakness. While medication is often the go-to solution for treating headaches, physical therapy can also be an effective way of managing headaches and their frequency/severity. In this article, we will explore how physical therapy can help treat headaches and how it can be incorporated into a treatment plan.
Types of Headaches
Before we dive into how physical therapy can help treat headaches, it’s important to understand the different types of headaches that exist. The three most common types of headaches are tension headaches, migraine headaches, and cluster headaches.
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache and are often caused by stress or tension in the muscles of the head, neck, and shoulders. They can range in intensity from mild to severe and are often described as a dull, achy pain that feels like a tight band around the head.
Migraine headaches are a type of headache that is typically accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. They are often characterized by a throbbing pain on one side of the head and can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Cluster headaches are a less common type of headache that are characterized by intense pain around one eye. They often occur in clusters, meaning they happen several times a day for several weeks or months, followed by a period of remission.
Making Physical Therapy a Key Step in Treating Your Headaches
If you’re interested in incorporating physical therapy into a treatment plan for headaches, there are several things you can do. Here are some tips to get started:
Consult with a Physical Therapist
The first step in incorporating physical therapy into a treatment plan for headaches is to consult with a physical therapist. They can evaluate the patient’s condition and recommend a course of treatment that is tailored to their individual needs.
Develop a Treatment Plan
Work with the physical therapist to develop a treatment plan for the patient. This may include a combination of exercises, stretches, and manual therapy techniques that are designed to relieve tension in the muscles of the head, neck, and shoulders.
Success Stories & Testimonials
Meet Our Headache Specialists in Knoxville, TN
Frequently Asked Headache Questions
Can Physical Therapy Help with Headaches?
Yes, physical therapy can be highly effective in managing and relieving headaches. Many headaches are caused by tension, poor posture, muscle imbalances, or issues in the neck and shoulders. A physical therapist can identify the root cause of your headaches and create a personalized treatment plan to address it. This may include techniques such as manual therapy, posture correction, strengthening exercises, and relaxation techniques to reduce tension and improve mobility. With the right approach, physical therapy can help decrease the frequency and intensity of headaches, providing lasting relief.
What types of headaches can physical therapy help with?
Physical therapy can assist with tension headaches, migraines, cervicogenic headaches (originating from neck issues), and headaches caused by posture or muscle strain.
Can physical therapy help with chronic migraines?
Physical therapy can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of attacks by addressing triggers like muscle tension, poor posture, or joint dysfunction.
Will insurance cover my physical therapy?
Most insurance plans cover TMJ treatment under your regular health insurance physical therapy benefits. It is always best to know your specific health insurance benefits. As a courtesy to you, we verify your benefits and can explain them to you when you arrive for your evaluation.