Osteopathy, headaches and migraines

HEADACHES

Are you one of the many people who experience headaches? Headache symptoms can range from mild pain and discomfort to a debilitating migraine with neurological symptoms and vomiting. Many people who have headaches and migraines also experience fatigue and brain fog which affects their daily activities. 

A HEADACHE AT THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD IS JUST ONE OF THE SYMPTOMS 

Typical headache symptoms vary but can include: 

• slow onset of symptoms

• pain on both sides of your head 

• pain that feels like a tight band or vice around your head 

• pain in the upper neck or back of the head 

THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEADACHES

To help you get from pain and discomfort to a point where you can successfully manage your headaches, you will need to get the right diagnosis. There are several types of headaches, including: 

• tension headache

• cervicogenic (from the neck) headache

• migraine 

• cluster headache 

TENSION HEADACHES

With this type of headache you may experience the following symptoms: 

• tenderness in the scalp, neck and shoulder muscles 

• a feeling of pressure and tightness at the back of the head, forehead or sides of the head. 

• pain that is dull and aching in nature. 

Tension headaches can be described as episodic or chronic

The duration of an episodic tension-type headache can be from 30 minutes to one week. 

Episodic tension-type headaches can become chronic. If your headache frequency is more than 15 days per month for at least 3 months, it is considered chronic.  

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WHAT IS A MIGRAINE? 

A migraine is considered to be a neurological disease which affects about 15% of the population, affecting women (18%) more than men (8%)

A migraine headache can cause severe pain and a throbbing sensation on one side of the head.   Migraines are the sixth most disabling disease in the world. 

MIGRAINE SYMPTOMS 

Migraines can be triggered by movement, light, sound or certain foods. Symptoms can last for four hours to several days

Symptoms may include:

• tiredness

• severe pain on one side of the head

• sensitivity to sound and light 

• nausea, vomiting

• visual disturbances

• irritability

• difficulty speaking

• numbness and tingling

• temporary loss of vision

MIGRAINE TRIGGERS 

• hormonal fluctuations

• light, including glare and flickering light

• certain smells

• fatigue, lack of sleep, irregular sleep 

• weather changes 

• stress

• particular food and drink 

• dehydration

• some medications 

WHAT CAUSES MIGRAINES

There is still a lot to learn about the cause of migraines however there appear to be different factors at play, including genetics, environment and lifestyle. 

Current theories include changes in the brainstem, trigeminal nerve and serotonin levels.  The role of neurotransmitters, including calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are also being researched.  

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OSTEOPATHY AND HEADACHES

Your osteopath will take a thorough history and ask you questions about your headaches, including their frequency, location, pattern and any associated triggers. If you have neurological symptoms, recent trauma or a sudden change in your symptoms, a referral for further investigations can be made to your G.P.

On assessment, your osteopath will look for any strain or restriction throughout your body.  Common findings with headaches include: restriction of the upper cervical spine, tightness and imbalance of the muscles of the upper back and neck, jaw dysfunction as well as stiffness of the thoracic spine. Additionally, we will address the diaphragm, pelvis and lower limbs.  There may be an underlying scoliosis, sinus issues or a history of sleep apnoea which needs to be investigated.  

WHAT DOES AN OSTEOPATH DO?

Tension, cervicogenic headaches and migraines are very common conditions that we treat. 

We look at your whole body and try to identify issues which may be contributing to your headaches, for example a scoliosis, a history of whiplash, head trauma, sinus congestion or recent dental work.  

Osteopathic treatment is based on the following principles 

• The body is a whole integrated unit

• Structure is related to function

• Each system is inter-related 

• The body has self-healing and self-regulating mechanisms 

We use a range of hands-on techniques to assist with headaches and bring balance to your whole body, including:

• Soft tissue massage and stretching,

• Counterstrain (indirect myofascial release) 

• Functional technique (indirect joint release) 

• Biodynamic Osteopathy in the cranial field

• Joint articulation particularly the upper thoracic and cervical spine

• Muscle energy technique (MET),

• Visceral techniques, including diaphragm release 

• High velocity low amplitude thrust (HVLA)

Tips for managing headaches 

• avoid known triggers related to food, lack of sleep or missed meals. 

• gentle exercise and stretching such as walking and yoga 

• stress management such as meditation or mindfulness 

• rest

• hydration 

When to make an appointment 

• you’re dependent on drugs to manage frequent headaches 

• your headaches affect your daily activities

• you have pain in your back, neck or jaw 

• you want to learn how to manage your headaches naturally

If you are concerned that treatment may trigger a headache, please be assured that a good osteopath can use gentle and indirect osteopathic techniques to ease physical tension and calm the sympathetic nervous system.  

osteopathy near me

Dr. Michelle Sherriff is an osteopath with 20 years experience and consults at Portland Osteopathy and Wellness Group

Contact details

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RED FLAGS FOR HEADACHES

Seek urgent medical care if you have any of the following 

• A headache that is severe, abrupt and feels like a thunderclap

• headache associated with fever, seizures, confusion, double vision, stiff neck, numbness or weakness in any part of the body (sign of a stroke)

• Headache following head trauma or injury

• A chronic headache that gets worse on exertion, straining, coughing or sudden movement

• Headache presenting after the age of 50 with no previous history

The fourth trimester

⠀Postnatal care

It is vital that mothers receive support and care following the birth process, especially if the birth was traumatic. Pain and discomfort can be aggravated by postural strain related to feeding, holding, and settling your baby. Sleep deprivation, biomechanical, and hormonal changes may also contribute to your pain. ⠀
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Osteopathic treatment is integral to support the wellbeing of mothers during this time. Treatment aims to restore balance, improve mobility, and to release tension in the muscles, joints, and ligaments. Gentle techniques allow a shift in the nervous system to a more restful state. ⠀
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Conditions that may present during the post-natal period:⠀
~ Low back pain⠀
~ Pelvic, sacral and coccyx pain⠀
~ Neck pain and headaches⠀
~ Thoracic spine pain⠀
~ Repetitive strain injury⠀
~ Thoracic outlet syndrome⠀
~ DeQuervain's syndrome⠀
~ Pelvic instability ⠀
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If you are currently pregnant, now is a good time to start building your village of support in preparation for the postnatal period. ⠀