Osteopathy and Headaches
Many people attend Essential Osteopathy seeking help with headaches. In many cases, headaches are linked to increased tension in the muscles and joints of the neck and upper back. This tension can irritate the nerves that exit the upper cervical spine and refer pain into the head, often described as tension-type or cervicogenic headaches.
Other headache patterns can have different contributing factors. Sinus congestion can lead to sinus-related headaches, while migraines are thought to involve altered nerve and blood vessel activity within the skull. Migraines vary widely between individuals and may be triggered by factors such as hormonal changes, stress, poor sleep, dehydration, alcohol, caffeine, exercise or travel. Current guidance, including NICE quality standards, recognises that headaches and migraines are complex and often multifactorial.
Osteopaths are trained to assess the type of headache a person is experiencing and to identify contributing musculoskeletal factors where appropriate. Treatment is tailored to the individual and may involve a combination of hands-on techniques aimed at reducing muscle tension, improving joint movement and calming the nervous system.
Commonly used Osteopathic approaches for headache management include:
- Gentle soft tissue techniques to reduce muscle tension in the neck and upper back
- Occipital decompression, which eases tension at the base of the skull and can be particularly helpful for headache and migraine patterns
- Myofascial techniques to reduce restriction in the connective tissues surrounding muscles
- Spinal articulation or manipulation where appropriate to improve movement and reduce strain
Research suggests that spinal manipulative therapy, as part of Osteopathic care, can be helpful for some people with cervicogenic and tension-type headaches and may offer similar preventative benefit to medication for some migraine presentations. Osteopathic treatment is often used alongside medical management rather than as a replacement for it.
If headaches or migraines are affecting your day-to-day life, a tailored Osteopathic assessment may help identify contributing factors and support symptom relief.
Appointments can be booked via my online diary.
