Headaches and Migraines

Headaches are one of the most common reasons for visiting the doctor. More than 250 million work days are lost each year due to headache at a cost of £25 billion per year. There are many types and causes of headaches. Muscle tension headaches and migraine headaches are by far the most common types of headaches, but sinus infections and other problems such as high blood pressure can also lead to headaches. Regardless of the cause, if you have a headache, you want it to end. Fast!

This has produced a huge market for medications that cover up the symptoms of headaches. Powerful drugs can numb your nervous system so the pain doesn’t register. While these approaches may be convenient, they can cause adverse effects and kidney or liver damage. Worse, they don’t correct the underlying cause of the headache.

Headaches are rarely a sign of immediately serious or life threatening health problems. Some headaches are so painful, however, that it may seem that something is very wrong inside the head. A person may present to the medical doctor seeking an explanation of the cause of the headache. Many medical doctors order expensive tests such as MRI or CT scans of the brain to try to visualize the cause of the headache. It has been reported that only one in 11,200 patients with headache have a problem that shows up on these types of tests. It is surprising, then, to note that between one-quarter to one-third of headache sufferers have had a CT or MRI scan. Most often the doctor and/or patient are searching for answers in the wrong direction.

Headaches are a very common condition and can often be linked to problems affecting the neck, upper back, jaw, muscles, joints, and nervous system. When these structures are not functioning as they should, they can place extra stress on the body, contributing to tension, irritation, and pain that may be felt in the head. Research has shown that many common types of headaches respond well to conservative care, including both chiropractic treatment and physiotherapy.

Our chiropractors and physiotherapists are trained to identify areas of the body that may be contributing to your symptoms. They assess how your spine and joints move, your posture, muscle function, flexibility, and your ability to turn and bend comfortably. They also take a detailed history and are trained to recognise signs and symptoms that may require further medical investigation.

If you’re a suitable candidate for care, your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs. This may include chiropractic adjustments, joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, rehabilitation exercises, postural advice, and education to help you better understand and manage your symptoms. The aim is to improve movement, reduce tension and irritation, restore normal function, and support your body’s natural ability to recover.

Many people find that a combination of hands-on treatment, exercise, and ongoing self-management strategies helps reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Regular check-ups and proactive care can also help address underlying issues before they become recurring problems, keeping you feeling and functioning at your best.