Headaches are among the most common medical complaints and, while they are rarely caused by serious underlying diseases, they can still significantly impact daily life for those who experience them regularly.
Common Causes of Headaches
The most frequent type of headache originates from tension, muscle stiffness, or joint strain in the neck and upper thoracic region (World Health Organisation Factsheet #277). Other potential causes include:
- Eye strain
- Sinus congestion
- Whiplash injuries
- Stress
- Poor posture
- Jaw imbalance or teeth grinding
- Infection
- Allergies and food intolerances
How Osteopathy Can Help with Headaches
Osteopathic treatment for headaches focuses on addressing tension and restrictions in the muscles and joints, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. By reducing strain in these areas, osteopaths can help alleviate headache symptoms and improve your overall posture to prevent future occurrences.
In addition to osteopathic and massage treatments, you can help reduce tension headaches by:
- Practising regular relaxation exercises, such as yoga
- Ensuring your workstation is set up correctly to avoid postural strain
- Getting plenty of rest
Click here to learn how to set up your workstation properly.
Osteopathy for Migraines: Address Triggers and Reduce Frequency
Migraines are more intense than typical headaches, often described as a throbbing pain on one side of the head. They can also cause sensitivity to light, visual disturbances, nausea, and dizziness, lasting for hours or even days.
Common Migraine Triggers
Migraines are often multifactorial, meaning they result from several contributing factors that build up and trigger an episode. Some of these factors include:
- Mechanical restrictions in the head and neck
- Poor sleep
- Certain foods or drinks
- Prolonged tension or stress
- Family history of migraines
How Osteopathy Can Help with Migraines
Osteopathic treatment for migraines focuses on addressing mechanical restrictions in the body, particularly in the neck, shoulders, base of the skull, and jaw, which may contribute to migraine episodes. Osteopaths will also evaluate your posture to identify any imbalances that could be triggering your migraines.
Massage therapy can be a valuable tool in reducing muscle tension, managing stress, and enhancing the body’s ability to cope with migraine triggers.