Headaches are one of the most common medical complaints of civilised humanity, however severe headache is only infrequently caused by serious underlying disease.
Headache originating from the neck is the most common type of headache. Other varied causes are eyestrain, sinus disease, neck injury (eg. Whiplash), tension headache from stress, poor posture, etc, migraines, jaw misalignment (eg. Following dental work).
There are other more serious causes such as infection, haemorrhage and brain tumour.
Osteopaths, as primary health care practitioners, are trained to differentiate between headaches with common causes and those due to serious pathology.
SYMPTOMS
Headaches can range from slight pain to relentless migraine and pain radiating through the forehead and eye area and upper neck. These symptoms may also be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, loss of taste or smell and disturbances to vision. If you experience any of these additional symptoms it is important that you seek medical advice urgently.
TREATMENT
A common presentation with headache is an increase in the muscular tension at the base of the skull with pain locally and possibly referred to the forehead and eye area. The tightened muscles and joint restrictions (from poor posture, stress, injury etc) in the upper neck, contribute to reduced mobility, and irritation of the local nerves and blood vessels. Osteopathic treatment can effectively address these symptoms by reducing muscular tension, reducing nerve irritation and improving blood supply and drainage to and from the head and neck.
Osteopaths are also trained to provide advice, exercises and ergonomic training to improve long term symptoms and reduce the occurrence of headeaches.
For more information regarding headaches and advice on treatment, give us a call on 020 3603 3769 or email our osteopath Peter at relax@sabaileela.com