Cervicogenic Headaches
There are a plethora of over the counter and prescription painkillers yet, as Osteopaths, the number of people who present to our clinic with headaches is consistently growing. 90% of our clients are word-of-mouth referrals, testament to the fact that pain killers are not necessarily a long term solution and that the osteopathic treatment for headaches from mechanical sources in the body (cervicogenic headaches), is safe and effective. Studies have shown that people who take painkillers on a regular basis can get more headaches as a consequence. This can sometimes be linked to ‘withdrawal’ if someone has used pain killers for a number of months. It is termed ‘rebound analgesia’ and is a big reason that people end up relying on pain killers to continually mask their symptoms.
Types of Headache
There are many types of headache including, but not limited to:
There is a further category of headache that fortunately is very rare but worthy of mention here; so called 'red flag' headache (indicator of a more serious problem). If we suspect this type, we will refer you to hospital, your GP &/or will refer for MRI/MRA scanning of the head privately to rapidly diagnose the problem.
Sometimes a headache is hard to define and may not appear to fit into any of these categories. Often the underlying cause is injury to the biomechanics, muscles, joints or vertebrae in the neck, shoulders or upper back. This is known as a cervicogenic headache and can effect anyone at any age. It may occur in isolation or be complicating a headache from a different category e.g. migraine. Cervicogenic headaches can be temporarily relieved by painkillers but this will not treat the cause of them. A typical cervicogenic headache can span from the base of the skull to the forehead and can be aggravated from movement or holding a position for a fixed period of time; for example, desk based work.
THE KEY HERE IS PROPER EXAMINATION AND DIAGNOSIS. IF YOU SUFFER WITH HEADACHES AND HAVE NOT HAD A FULL NECK AND SHOULDER EXAMINATION BY A REGISTERED OSTEOPATH YOU MAY BE SUFFERING UNNECESSARILY.
What Can Our Osteopaths Do For You?
* If you haven’t had a full mechanical examination of the neck and shoulders, it is very likely the true cause of your headache has been missed. Vertebrae in the neck have very specific movement patterns and restrictions in these can cause headaches. Your Osteopath can identify these restrictions and free them up.
* Osteopaths work to treat the cause of pain and not just the symptoms. This approach allows them to get to the heart of the problem. Osteopathic treatment is tailor-made and will vary depending on how your body reacts to hands-on treatment. It may involve mobilising, relaxing, stretching your neck and increasing a joint’s range of movement through:
* Soft tissue manipulation/massage with gentle traction through the neck to decompress the joints and improve blood flow.
* Muscle Energy Techniques: getting movement back against resistance to stretch and strengthen muscles and improve flexibility.
* Dry needling and acupressure.
* Joint manipulation; this is not painful and is not the only tool in a good Osteopath’s toolbox, but it can help to reduce the pressure in the joint and improve mobility in a way that no other techniques can.
* Is it safe? Osteopathy has one of the best safety records of any medical or allied medical profession. Osteopaths are trained for five years to a degree level in primary diagnosis and treatment.
* If the Osteopath suspects the cause is not going to be helped by hands-on treatment, we have an Acupuncturist on our team, access to private MRI scanning and/or will liaise with your GP or specialist as required.
Don’t put up with headaches! For further information about this or any other general aches, pains, orthopaedic or musculoskeletal problems, arrange a consultation with our friendly, experienced team at Sandbach Osteopathic and Sports Injury Clinic on 01270 759 491.
Types of Headache
There are many types of headache including, but not limited to:
- tension/cervicogenic
- cluster
- migraine
- and the aforementioned medical overuse type
There is a further category of headache that fortunately is very rare but worthy of mention here; so called 'red flag' headache (indicator of a more serious problem). If we suspect this type, we will refer you to hospital, your GP &/or will refer for MRI/MRA scanning of the head privately to rapidly diagnose the problem.
Sometimes a headache is hard to define and may not appear to fit into any of these categories. Often the underlying cause is injury to the biomechanics, muscles, joints or vertebrae in the neck, shoulders or upper back. This is known as a cervicogenic headache and can effect anyone at any age. It may occur in isolation or be complicating a headache from a different category e.g. migraine. Cervicogenic headaches can be temporarily relieved by painkillers but this will not treat the cause of them. A typical cervicogenic headache can span from the base of the skull to the forehead and can be aggravated from movement or holding a position for a fixed period of time; for example, desk based work.
THE KEY HERE IS PROPER EXAMINATION AND DIAGNOSIS. IF YOU SUFFER WITH HEADACHES AND HAVE NOT HAD A FULL NECK AND SHOULDER EXAMINATION BY A REGISTERED OSTEOPATH YOU MAY BE SUFFERING UNNECESSARILY.
What Can Our Osteopaths Do For You?
* If you haven’t had a full mechanical examination of the neck and shoulders, it is very likely the true cause of your headache has been missed. Vertebrae in the neck have very specific movement patterns and restrictions in these can cause headaches. Your Osteopath can identify these restrictions and free them up.
* Osteopaths work to treat the cause of pain and not just the symptoms. This approach allows them to get to the heart of the problem. Osteopathic treatment is tailor-made and will vary depending on how your body reacts to hands-on treatment. It may involve mobilising, relaxing, stretching your neck and increasing a joint’s range of movement through:
* Soft tissue manipulation/massage with gentle traction through the neck to decompress the joints and improve blood flow.
* Muscle Energy Techniques: getting movement back against resistance to stretch and strengthen muscles and improve flexibility.
* Dry needling and acupressure.
* Joint manipulation; this is not painful and is not the only tool in a good Osteopath’s toolbox, but it can help to reduce the pressure in the joint and improve mobility in a way that no other techniques can.
* Is it safe? Osteopathy has one of the best safety records of any medical or allied medical profession. Osteopaths are trained for five years to a degree level in primary diagnosis and treatment.
* If the Osteopath suspects the cause is not going to be helped by hands-on treatment, we have an Acupuncturist on our team, access to private MRI scanning and/or will liaise with your GP or specialist as required.
Don’t put up with headaches! For further information about this or any other general aches, pains, orthopaedic or musculoskeletal problems, arrange a consultation with our friendly, experienced team at Sandbach Osteopathic and Sports Injury Clinic on 01270 759 491.
