This is a guest post from our respected colleagues at Hicks Health, an Osteopathic clinic in Bromley
Osteopathy offers a gentle, hands-on treatment that aims to address the underlying causes of migraines, providing long-term relief without the side effects associated with many drugs. But how exactly does it work, and what can you expect from osteopathic treatment for migraines?
Osteopathy and The Causes of Migraines
Migraines are complex and can be triggered by a wide range of factors. Common triggers include stress, hormonal changes, food sensitivities, dehydration, and even environmental factors such as bright lights or strong smells. While these triggers vary from person to person, migraines often have something in common: they are linked to tension and imbalance in the body.
Tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back, poor posture, or misalignment of the spine can all contribute to migraines. This is where osteopathy comes in. By focusing on the body’s structure and its relationship to function, an osteopath can help to identify where tension is contributing to your symptoms and help to reduce the symptoms.
Note that although osteopathy can help reduce symptoms in most migraine cases, it is not a cure for more deep-seated neurological causes, and your osteopath may recommend you also see a neurologist to identify or rule these out.
How Osteopathy Treats Migraines
Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that looks at the body as a whole. It focuses on the musculoskeletal system, but osteopaths also consider how this system interacts with the nervous, circulatory, and lymphatic systems. By improving the balance and function of the musculoskeletal system, osteopathic treatment can reduce the tension and restrictions that may trigger migraines.
This may involve:
Releasing Tension in the Head, Neck, and Shoulders
A significant number of migraines are caused or contributed to by tension in the neck and shoulders. Many of us spend long hours in front of a computer or hunched over a phone, which can strain the muscles around the neck and upper back. This tension can restrict blood flow to the head and cause headaches or trigger migraines.
Osteopathic techniques can help relieve this tension. By improving mobility in these areas and relaxing tight muscles, osteopaths can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.
Correcting Postural Imbalances
Poor posture is often an overlooked trigger for migraines. Over time, slouching or sitting for prolonged periods can cause misalignment in the spine, particularly in the upper back and neck regions. These misalignments can put pressure on the nerves and restrict blood flow, contributing to migraine symptoms.
Osteopaths can assess your posture and identify areas of imbalance. They will use manipulations to realign your spine and improve your posture, reducing tension in other areas.
Improving Circulation
Good circulation is crucial for healthy brain function. Restricted blood flow to the head is a common contributory factor in migraines. Osteopathy can improve circulation by addressing tightness in the muscles and joints that may be limiting blood flow. Often this will focus on relieving tension around the skull and neck, encouraging better circulation and helping to prevent migraines.
Balancing the Nervous System
Osteopathic treatment helps to restore balance to the nervous system by addressing areas of tension and misalignment that may be causing irritation. Many people also believe that cranial osteopathy (not in fact “head osteopathy” but a more subtler version of osteopathy for any part of the body), can help to reduce migraine frequency and intensity.
What to Expect During Osteopathic Treatment
If you’re considering osteopathy for migraines, you might wonder what the treatment process looks like. During your first session, your osteopath will take a detailed medical history and ask about your migraines, including how often they occur, what triggers them, and any other symptoms you experience. They’ll also perform a physical examination to assess your posture, range of motion, and any areas of tension or misalignment.
Treatment is tailored to your individual needs. Osteopaths use a variety of techniques, such as soft tissue massage, stretching, and joint manipulation, to relieve tension and improve alignment.
Osteopathy is a gentle and non-invasive therapy which does not use drugs, making it a suitable treatment option for most people, including children, pregnant women, and those who have previously tried medicinal treatment without success.
Finding Out More
If you are suffering from migraines and would like to find out more about how osteopathic treatment can help, please contact us at Hicks Health if you are in the Bromley area, or our esteemed colleagues at Tim Wood Healthcare for treatment in the Maidstone and Rainham areas.
This was a guest post from our colleagues at Hicks Health in Bromley. You can find out more about Hicks Health and Osteopathy in Bromley at www.hickshealth.com.