Headache Relief Beyond Medication: Inside Habit Health’s Headache Management Service: A Q&A with Ryan Lobb

Looking for real headache relief that goes beyond just taking medication? Whether you're dealing with ongoing migraines, tension headaches, or unexplained head pain, our new Headache Management – Health Coaching service could be exactly what you need. Ryan Lobb, Service Lead and Physiotherapist at Habit Health, leads the expert team behind this unique approach to headache care. He shares how the service works, who it’s designed to help, and why it’s changing the game for people searching for effective, long-term headache and migraine relief.

Understanding your headache matters more than masking it

Headaches are incredibly common, yet so often not well understood by those experiencing them. While medication can assist in many cases, it's not the only option. Our Headache Management service works with you to understand what causes headaches and explore treatment approaches tailored to your body and lifestyle. As Ryan puts it, “there are many other effective treatment options available that we want clients to understand for themselves.”

Looking for headache relief options beyond just traditional medication options? Here’s how we can help

Getting started is easy. It begins with a telehealth appointment, meaning you can access care no matter where you are in the country. It’s quick, convenient, and gets you in touch with a specialist without having to leave home.

The first session is focused on understanding the root cause of your headache and what type of headache you’re experiencing. “The appointment involves an assessment to determine the likely source of the headache as this is critical to developing a plan together,” explains Ryan. The assessment is mostly conversation based with a small amount of visual observation if needed.

From there, you’ll get some early coaching strategies tailored to you – which will be built on in future sessions.

While some clients find a single session helpful for understanding their headache and feeling reassured, most benefit from ongoing support. “Some clients find just one session beneficial and helpful in answering their questions and concerns, however most clients require follow up and more comprehensive care to realise the improvements they are hoping for,” says Ryan.

You don’t need a GP referral - you can self-refer anytime, and if your employer provides EAP Services and Health Coaching, your sessions will be fully covered.

How we identify and treat the cause of your headaches

Effective headache management starts with understanding what causes the headache pain - and that’s exactly what the initial assessment is designed to uncover.

Headaches often come down to specific triggers or behavioural drivers, and once we figure out what those are, treatment becomes a lot more effective. “Most headaches can and will respond well to non-pharmaceutical interventions when the source of the symptoms is identified,” Ryan adds.

Once we think we’ve found the source, we’ll try out a few simple techniques to test how your body responds: “Testing the response to intervention for a suspected source further informs our confidence in the source of the headache” explains Ryan. Physios treat headaches by addressing the physical drivers, like neck tension, joint restriction or posture that might be contributing to your symptoms.

From there, we create a personalised plan to help you manage your symptoms and feel more in control. We give you practical tools and strategies that are designed to make a difference day-to-day: “Clients are given tools to manage and improve their symptoms in simple and tangible ways,” Ryan adds.

If needed, we may also chat about additional treatment options to support your long-term goals and provide lasting relief.

Who we support: Headache types and symptoms we can help with

Recurring headaches can affect anyone, impacting focus, work, and wellbeing. This service is designed to support people dealing with both tension headaches and migraines, two of the most common and often debilitating types.

If you're living with ongoing headache discomfort, this service is here to help you find clarity, relief, and a personalised plan to move forward.

Real results: What clients are saying about our headache support

Early feedback from clients has been very positive, many people are happy to finally find support that actually makes sense to them. Ryan Lobb share’s that a common response from clients has been surprise that this kind of support even exists, and appreciation for how relevant and personalised the care feels to their specific condition.

As the Headache Management service continues to grow, we’re looking forward to helping more people find real, lasting relief.

If you’re dealing with headaches and your employer offers EAP Services and Health Coaching, you have access to free effective tension headache and migraine relief.

Start your journey.