Osteopathic Treatment for Headaches

Headaches can occur for a variety of reasons, one being cervicogenic (originating from the cervical spine or neck). These are headaches arising from abnormalities in the joints, muscles, fascia and neural structures.

Typically cervicogenic headaches are described as a constant, steady dull ache, often one sided but can be both sides. It can feel like a tight band around your head. Many people feel the tension at the base of their neck, it can also refer pain to the temples and forehead. Usually the onset is gradual and the headache can be present for days, weeks, even months. There is sometimes acute trauma, for example a road traffic accident or they can be related to repetitive trauma associated with some sports or work related postures. The posture adopted by many desk based workers of rounded shoulders and an extended neck puts tension through these muscles making them a prime candidate for cervicogenic headaches.

Pain is usually associated with neck stiffness and aggravated by neck movements and/or sudden jolting. Associated symptoms such as light headedness, dizziness and nausea are common. Your Osteopath will take a detailed case history and perform a physical examination to determine the cause of your headache, if appropriate they will proceed to treat you manually and provide advice and exercises.

Jaw pain is often a symptom of temporomandibular disorder which is commonly multifactoral in origin and typically involves dysfunction of the muscles and joints. Displacement of the joint can occur causing wear and tear of the internal structures. Grinding and clenching teeth (bruxism), trauma and osteoarthritis can all cause the movement of the joint to be disturbed.

After careful history taking and examination if appropriate your Osteopath will work to help to improve the function of the joints involved and relieve tension around the jaw. They will also be able to offer advice and in some cases exercises.

Sinus pain or sinusitis is inflammation of the lining of the sinuses, caused by viral or bacterial infections. The sinuses are small cavities behind the forehead and cheekbones, which drain mucus into the nose through small channels. These channels can become blocked when the sinuses are infected and inflamed.

The most common cause of sinusitis is the common cold, a viral or bacterial infection which spreads from the upper airways to the sinuses. Diagnosis is usually made based on symptoms of a blocked or runny nose, facial pain and tenderness, a high temperature of 38ºC or more and headaches. All age groups can be affected and it often clears by itself within a week or two. Alternatively, bacterial infections can develop lasting for longer periods and may require antibiotics. If the episodes are severe or reoccurring you will be referred to a GP to determine any underlying factors.

Osteopathic treatment aims to relieve the symptoms and speed up recovery by massaging the local glandsand muscles, which may help to drain the sinuses. This in turn may ease the feeling of compression in the head and subsequent pain.

As sinus pain can be caused by a multitude of factors it is important that you consult a medial professional. Headaches, jaw and sinus pain can sometimes be symptom of a serious underlying medical condition.

Karen Eastwood

• PREGNANCY CARE
• BIRTH PREPARATION
• ACTIVE BIRTH
• OPTIMAL FOETAL POSITIONING
• ANXIETY AND STRESS
• CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

Karen qualified at the British School of Osteopathy in 1998. She has a special interest in Women’s Health and has taken post graduate courses in Obstetrics which involved working in St Mary’s Maternity Unit observing both physiological births and caesarian sections. This fuelled her passionate work with women in pregnancy. Her approach is to work with them to build confidence and teach empowering techniques for managing labour as well as working with the musculoskeletal system to ensure optimum health. Karen has trained in the Body Control Pilates System and refined her knowledge to address postnatal concerns. She is currently studying the Award in Paediatric Osteopathy at the Osteopathic Centre for Children.

Karen has completed post-graduate training in Osteopathic Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and has a personal interest in stress, trauma and anxiety management.

Karen is available at Fresh Ground on Mondays 8-12pm, Wednesdays 8-11am and Saturdays 9-1pm.

For an appointment or further questions please call 020 7206 2625 or email info@ltosteo.co.uk