Mecklenburg Neurological offers specialized physical therapy services within our facility. Our licensed physical therapists on staff have extensive post-graduate training in musculoskeletal pain of the head, neck, face and jaw.

Indications for Physical Therapy:
· Frequent tension headaches
· Migraine headache
· Pain behind the eye
· Neck and shoulder pain (stiffness and lack of mobility)
· Acute trauma (whiplash injury or blow to face, chin or head)
· Arthritis
· Fibromyalgia
· Myofascial pain dysfunction
· Grinding and/or clenching teeth related to stress and tension
· Jaw joint pain
· Limited opening of jaws or locked jaws
· Capsulitis (inflammation of TMJ)
· Temporomandibular joint dysfunction and/or pain

Why Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is an important part of the overall treatment and care for the patient with neck, face, and temporomandibular joint pain complaints. If you are evaluated by one of our neurologists, you may have physical therapy prescribed as a primary or secondary treatment for headache.

The head and neck is a complicated unit made of bones, brain, joints, muscles, connective tissues, nerves and teeth. Often, headaches are caused by inflammation in the muscles and soft tissues of the head and neck. (Additionally, this can sometimes act as a trigger for migraines). Inflammation can result from tooth clenching and grinding, chronic muscle tension from stress, and prolonged poor posture.

Evaluation by the physical therapist determines the need for neuromuscular exercises, stress management and relaxation techniques, utilization of physical therapy modalities and patient education in the areas of posture, ergonomics, and correction of activities of daily living. Physical therapy often eliminates the source of the headache or reduces the need for medication and its side effects.

Due to space limitations, physical therapy offered in our office is currently limited to the head and neck. If your doctor believes you may require therapy to your back or extremities, you will be referred to another facility for that aspect of your care.

What do Physical Therapists Do?

There are three objectives of the first visit. First is the patient evaluation; second, identification of the evaluation through patient education; and third, the treatment.

The first evaluation and treatment lasts 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Subsequent treatments last 30 to 45 minutes. Most people require 2 to 3 treatments per week for 3 to 6 weeks.

Treatments may include:
· Posture correction
· Home exercise program
· Stress reduction/relaxation techniques
· Muscle stimulation
· Ultrasound
· Applications of cold or heat
· Traction

Our Physical Therapists

Staff physical therapists are Julie Cowman, LPT and Rosemary Goodall, LPT.

Julie Cowman has had extensive training and practice in the field of physical therapy specifically related to head, neck, and temporomandibular joint pain. She has specialized certification in these areas of physical therapy and has had extensive experience working with dentists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons in the treatment of face and head pain caused by temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

Rosemary Goodall has had previous experience working with chronic pain patients in a multi-disciplinary setting. She has special expertise in relaxation training and is likewise highly skilled in all physical therapy modalities related to treatment of face and head pain.

For the appropriate type of headache, physical therapy has the advantage of treating the problem directly at the source and avoiding side effects of medication.