The Body Map - 1. Headaches
- Headaches most frequently occur due to muscle tension in the base of the skull and neck, often due to prolonged desk work, computer use, stress and driving; modern life, in other words! Gentle treatment can ease muscle tension
- Alternatively, headaches can occur as a result of a neck problem. Osteophatic treatment in such cases is based around treating the underlying problem
- Migraines are another major cause of particularly severe and debilitating headaches, Treatment here is based around reducing local muscle tension, resolving restrictions in the spine and addressing what may be an overstimulated nervous system
- There are also secondary causes of headaches, which may occur as a result of other medical conditions (for example high blood pressure). Osteopaths are trained to identify such conditions and will refer such patients to other medical professionals where appropriate
- Around 10% of the UK population suffers from migraines (All Party Parliamentary Group on Primary Headache Disorders 2008) with an estimated 190,000 people suffering a migraine attack at any one time
- Around 65% of males and 80% of females in developed countries are affected by headaches, with an estimated 5% of the population suffering a headache either 'every or nearly every day' (World Health Organization)
Don't suffer in silence; there is an alternative to medication.