Ask the Osteopath

The Steyning Osteopathic Clinic Team will be producing regular articles on common conditions, and answering questions. They hope the advice and tips given will help people to avoid muscular problems and stay pain free.

Headaches:
Tension Headaches are the most common form of headaches effecting between 30-80% of the population according to the international headache society. However people rarely go to see the doctor or seek treatment.

Headaches can be a warning sign of more sever pathology however this is very rare and in these cases there are normally accompanying symptoms. Well over 90% of people visiting A and E with sever headaches turn out to have tension headaches rather than migraines, other types of headache or pathology.

Tension type headaches are easily treatable and avoidable. The brain itself has no pain receptors. The pain felt over the head is normally caused by mechanical irritation of areas with pain receptors referring pain over the head. This is often the blood vessels or nerves (Greater occipital nerve), the covering of the spine or the muscles themselves. There are a number of dietary and hormonal reasons that these areas maybe more susceptible than usual.

Self Help:
Address your posture: This is often effected by long periods of not moving or looking at a computer screen. Tight chest muscle and the front of your hips is often linked to a forward head position and headaches.

Relax the area:
This can be done by relaxation and breathing techniques to reduce muscle tension. Simple neck stretching such as bringing the head diagonally forward and to the side, stretches out the muscle at the back of the neck which often relieves pain.

Avoid dietary and hormonal factors:
The most common reason is dehydration. Failing this other foods and drinks such as red wine, chocolate, cheese, MSG from Chinese food are common. If you feel there maybe a hormonal link it is worth visiting your GP.

An Osteopath or other health care professional should be able to give you more specific advice for your individual problems. If this is an ongoing or reoccurring problem it is worth seeking help; tension headaches are avoidable.

Steyning Osteopathic Clinic is located in body matters. We may be contacted on 01903 813500

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