The International Headache Society has developed a classification that divides headaches into three groups:

1. Primary headaches
2. Secondary headaches
3. Cranial neuralgias, facial pain and others.

Primary head aches were classified on the basis of symptoms. Conditions such as migraine or cluster headaches were included in this group. The group of secondary head aches included those associated with, for example, head and neck trauma, vascular diseases or psychiatric illnesses.

Headache is a non-specific symptom. During a thorough diagnosis, the doctor can differentiate between secondary headaches and determine whether the pain is primary in nature. Once life-threatening conditions have been ruled out, the specialist decides on a course of treatment. In the case of common headaches, physiotherapy treatments are increasingly gaining importance alongside pharmacotherapy.

Manual therapy carried out by a suitably qualified physiotherapist can support the treatment process and get rid of the discomfort after just 1-3 treatments, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Treatments used include: musculo-fascial release of the head and neck area, trigger point therapy of the muscular system or muscle energy techniques.

During the visit, the physiotherapist should pay attention to the positioning of the head and neck in relation to the chest. Often recurring, non-specific headaches are caused by poor posture and tension forming in the neck and chest area. In this case, breathing exercises, stretching muscles that are too tense, e.g. the pectorals and neck flexors, and exercises to strengthen the weakened back muscles are helpful.