Headaches and migraines are one of the most common causes of pain and discomfort, with most people suffering a headache at least once in their lives. They are a common cause for seeing an Osteopath.
Headaches are a complicated issue. Rather than a singular condition, there are over 100 different categories of headaches. The most common ones are tension headache, migraine, mixed headache, sinus headache and cervico-genic headache. Diagnosing which type you have is often possible after a simple medical history.
Headache symptoms
Obviously, the main symptom with headache is head pain. One experiencing a headache can explain the ache to be located anywhere on the head, one-sided, both sided or central. There are significant variances in the severity of pain that comes from different headaches. For example, tension headaches are usually mild, whilst migraines are classically a very intense head pain which typically affects only one side of the head and is associated with nausea and disturbed vision.
Headache causes
The causes of headaches are varied and complex. They range from muscle tension and neck issues, right through to complex interactions of neurology, hormones and fatigue. If you are suffering from headaches, especially when they keep coming back, it is important to seek help. Understanding the cause of your headache and getting your symptoms under control is a real option and can be done with the right help.
Headache risk factors
There are numerous risk factors including genetics, medical issues, illnesses, drug side effects or interactions, neck injuries and dietary or environmental sensitivities that contribute to the generation of headaches. These can act both in isolation or in combination.
If you are suffering from headaches and would like some help in diagnosing and treating the pain, make an appointment with one of our Osteopaths today.
How our practitioners help
Osteopathy
- Relieves pain and headache symptoms
- Improve muscular and joint coordination for prevention of future episodes
- Reduces stiffness and other contributing factors from the neck, shoulder and spine
Massage
- Softens tight, tense and painful muscles
- Relieves pain and headache
- Manages ongoing stress in life, and your neck and back