Headaches, jaw and balance

The one that often resolves quickly

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is caused by tiny crystals moving out of place within the inner ear, and produces intense spinning lasting seconds to a minute, reliably triggered by particular head movements. It responds to specific repositioning manoeuvres, frequently within one or two appointments. People routinely endure it for months first, which is the main reason it is worth mentioning here.

When these symptoms are an emergency

A sudden, severe headache unlike anything you have had before, a headache with fever and a stiff neck, one following a head injury, or one with weakness, confusion or visual loss all need urgent medical attention rather than a physiotherapy appointment. Ring 999 or go to hospital.

Which page do I need

If your headaches start at the base of the skull, stay on one side, and are affected by neck position or a long day at a desk, read headaches. If your jaw aches or clicks, or you cannot open as wide as you used to, read jaw and TMJ pain. If the room spins when you turn over in bed, or you feel constantly unsteady or as though you are on a boat, read dizziness and vertigo.

Being clear about what we can and cannot treat

This is a page where honesty is more useful than breadth, so here it is. We treat headaches arising from the neck. We do not treat migraine directly, though neck treatment sometimes reduces how often attacks are triggered in people who have both. Medication overuse headache, which is common and under-recognised, is a matter for your GP. Light headedness on standing is usually a blood pressure or medication question rather than a physiotherapy one.

We will tell you at the assessment which sort we think you have, and send you back to your GP if physiotherapy is not the answer, rather than treating you for six weeks to find out.