The benefits of Osteopathy for Headache and Migraine sufferers?

Types of Headaches you may suffer from:

Around 95% of the general population have experienced headaches at some stage in their life, with nearly one-in-two suffering a significant headache at least once a year. Whilst most can be treated with simple steps such as rest, hydration, and medication, some require further interventions.

If none of the above helps to ease your migraine it may be worth booking an appointment with an osteopath. There are over 200 different types of headaches, most of which are found to be caused by musculoskeletal tension and/or postural issues. There are three types of headaches that are most common, accounting for over 90% of all incidents.

Tension-Type Headache (TTH):

This is by far the most common and affects 60-80% of the population. They are sometimes referred to as muscle contraction headaches, stress headaches, or psychogenic headache and are felt as a tightening or pressure on both sides of the head.

The other leading cause of TTH are environmental and muscular factors such as stress and posture which can be caused by looking at a computer for long periods of time causing more pressure to be placed on the atlantoaxial joint in the upper cervical spine. This leads to the shoulders trying to compensate by stooping forward and creating muscular imbalances, with some areas tightening which causes the tension headache.

Migraines:

Migraines are the next most common headache, with an overall prevalence of 15% although this is skewed with females being more than twice as likely as men to suffer. There are many causes of migraines including hormonal changes, emotional triggers, physical triggers, dietary triggers etc. Physical triggers can include issues with the upper neck.

Often, they affect one side of the head and can cause issues and sensitivity to sight or sound. In extreme cases, they may cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Cervicogenic Headaches (CGH):

Finally, cervicogenic headaches are caused when pain is referred from a specific source in the neck, up into the head. This is mainly caused by trauma such as; fractures, dislocation, whiplash injury, or an underlying medical condition such as; rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, infection etc. A CGH is a secondary headache (a symptom of a disease that can activate the pain-sensitive nerves of the head). In this case 'disease' refers to a pre-existing physical or neurologic condition.

How Can Osteopathy Help?

There is a common thread to many headaches. Whilst the pain is experienced in the sufferers' head, the cause is often a biochemical issue somewhere else in the body that can include any or multiple of those listed above and more.

General osteopathy uses palpation, manipulation, stretching, and massage to increase mobility of joints, and help relieve muscle tension. This enhances blood and nerve supply to tissues, helping your body's own healing mechanisms. It is no surprise then that research has found that osteopathy is effective in treating many types of headaches, especially those with a biochemical cause or trigger.

What Osteopathic Treatment Involves

A first session with an osteopath usually begins with a patient history that includes questions to understand more about the sufferer, their body, and the headaches they are suffering. Depending on what is discovered, the treatment plan will be adjusted. This can include soft tissue massage to relieve muscular tension. Osteopathic joint articulation may be used, encouraging joint release and movement to ease any imbalances due to poor posture or to ease pain from previous injuries. If the headache is cervicogenic, the focus areas are likely to be mid-spine and neck.

An osteopath will give some help and advice on how to minimize the reacurrence of the headache. This may include gently exercises to practice at home, advice on posture etc. Therefore, unlike paracetamol or ibuprofen which may partially relieve symptoms, osteopathy looks to address the cause of the headache, and correct the underlying issue.

Hopefully, as reflected in the research into osteopathy as an effective treatment, you should experience both a reduction in the number, and the severity of the headaches you are experiencing. A follow up session may be required, but it is by no means always necessary.

What Now?

If you would like to know more about how osteopathy can help you visit our website at Sanderstead Osteopaths. Alternatively, contact us at 07790 007794 for a consultation to see how osteopathy an help you personally.